This evening we are launching our Amazon Bookstore as part of our Books page, which gives us a great opportunity to show you some books which you may not have come across. There is the four volume set, Ingenious Mechanisms, which can be found on most serious automata makers bookshelves, and a whole host of […]
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Night 20 – Heavy Hooves by Pascale Michalski
This evening we have a new one-off piece from young artist Pascale Michalski. As is usual with Pascale’s work, this piece started life as a watercolour drawing. ‘Dondy always wanted to be a pianist, but unfortunately he was born with trumpet-arms and heavy hooves’. Made from wood, ceramic compound, brass, crystal beads, silk and paint. Dimensions: H […]
Night 19 – Geared Candle Holder by Ben Cowden
You may be thinking about creating a festive atmosphere for the holiday season, if so, these wonderful candle holders by American artist Ben Cowden would make a great addition to your table. The Geared Candle Holder is made from aluminium and costs 250 USD (Plus approx 40.20 USD for shipping to the UK). Ben’s counterweighted […]
Night 18 – Breath of Time DVD by Arthur Ganson
This evening we are taking the opportunity to get to know Arthur Ganson and his work a little better. In Arthur’s world, whole machines are constructed from fleeting moments (coming across an abandoned doll in the road or failing to cook an artichoke in a microwave). It is Arthur’s emotional response to these inanimate objects […]
Night 17 – Cabaret Apron and Sketchbook from Cafepress
If you are thinking about making your Christmas mincemeat, how about donning a CMT apron, and if cooking isn’t on your mind yet, you can get down to some new automata designs in one of our new sketchbooks. Great as presents or a treat for yourself. See the whole range here.
Night 16 – A Machine for Computing the Names of 13,500 Ventriloquists Dummies by Paul Spooner
This evening we have a new one-off machine by Paul Spooner. This machine is reminiscent of one of Paul’s very first machines (1969) which was an art criticism machine that he made while at art school. It is A Machine for Computing the Names of 13,500 Ventriloquists Dummies. Paul tells us more about the mechanics […]
Night 15 – Carnivale Torso by Carlos Zapata
Carlos Zapata has been burning the midnight oil to finish this vibrant new one-off piece in his Torso series. All the excitement and colour of the Carnival is contained within the torso of a spectator, his eyes and tongue moving from side to side as he enjoys the happiness of the spectacle. At the very […]
Night 14 – Automata and Magic: Two Odd Volumes
This evening we are delighted to bring you two Victorian volumes, which have been beautifully re-printed. The Sette of Odd Volumes was a club of book collectors that was founded in 1878 by the noted London book dealer Bernard Quaritch. The club held a dinner every month, and the members, many of whom were noted […]
Night 13 – MechaniCards by Brad Litwin
This evening we are introducing a great idea for a gift, from US artist Bradley N. Litwin. These are available to purchase directly from his site – mechanicards They come ready made (50 USD each, also available as do-it-yourself construction kits 40 USD each). MechaniCards are miniature, hand-operated, kinetic sculptures, designed and produced in limited […]
Night 12 – Cool4Cats Mechanical Cutouts
Our friend Tim at Cool4Cats has been producing amazing card automaton kits for several years.This evening we thought we would introduce his most complex piece, The Artist Automaton (not for the faint hearted!), which is available directly from Cool4Cats. When the handle is turned the artist looks up at his model, then down at his […]