The Mechanical Blog

If you can get to the Science Station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA before 15th August you will be able to see our USA touring exhibit of Amazing Amusing Machines there. This popular show was held over during the Summer and has 20 exhibits chosen for their intriguing mechanisms.

The labelling for these exhibits is superb - (thanks here to The Science Museum of Minnesota). As well as background information on the piece, a focus on the mechanisms, each one even has it’s own haiku.

This one is for the Scarab Wrapper (pictured)
Pin gear, spin below,
Set Anubis in motion.
Mummify the bug.

‘Smile’ is the title of the current exhibition from the Cornwall Crafts Association at Trelowarren until 17th September 2006.
The exhibition includes Paul Spooner’s ‘The Dormitory’ (Private Collection) a new piece (pictured) which Spooner describes as a female version of his 1983 piece The Dream. The label refers to the English practice of turning their children into orphans by sending them off to boarding school as soon as they are house-trained. Also on show is a new Piano Player from Peter Markey.

Over 30 pieces of automata, including the Fugu Eater (pictured) will be on show at the Rias Ark Museum of Art in Japan until the end of August. The pieces are all from the Fourteen Ball Toy Co and are presented by Molen (CMT Japanese licensee - as you know even though we are called ‘Cabaret’ we are not sleazy…)
July 14-August 31 2006
9:30-17:00
Closed on: Mondays, Tuesdays, Day after National Holidays.

RIAS ARK MUSEUM OF ART
138-5 Akaiwamakizawa section
Kesennuma city,
Miyagi prefecture,
JAPAN 988-0171
Tel: 0226-24-1611