Sketchbook Moment No.9

That’s funny. The shepherd boy hasn’t cried wolf today. We’d better go & see what’s up.
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Franklin Institute Machines

I was recently at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  The Amazing Machines Gallery has some of the best examples of basic mechanics that I have seen. You can experiment with pulleys, lever, gears and cams, and there are also plenty of exploded views of the workings of everyday machines including a giant can crusher.

Kinetic sculptor and architect Ben Trautman has made three machines for the gallery. This large machine has a beautiful almost organic, fluid movement, reminiscent of birds wings. Ben also makes the most fascinating folding sculptures of buildings and birds.

A highlight of our visit was a live demonstration of the recently restored Maillardet’s Automaton from 1810. The detailed drawings and poems were exquisite.

If you are visiting the Franklin also make sure to take a look at four of Carlos Zapata’s automata on the theme of electricity in the home in the ‘Franklin: He’s Electric’ Gallery, which is close by.

‘Hungry for Love’ in Chicago

Our USA touring exhibition opened at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry earlier this month.

This Paul Spooner piece, ‘Hungry for Love’ from the Fourteen Ball Toy collection is the most complicated piece in the show, as you can see from Paul’s original sketch.  The waitress walks. The cart rolls. The sailor moves his arms, head and even throat, and the tray pops up at the end, to uncover two very wobbly jellies.

Each piece in this exhibition is labelled with it’s own Haiku. Here is the one for this piece:

Motion for its own
Delight. An automaton
Must not mean, but be.

Exhibition continues until March 2009.

Collector’s Piece

A one off piece from Carlos Zapata.

The ‘Collector’ is admiring his latest acquistion the little figure does sit-ups in the palm of the collector’s hand. This piece from 2005 has recently been on exhibition in North America, and is now available to buy.

Height: 56 cm
Price: £895.00

This is available to buy from our Online Store.

Sketchbook Moment No.8

Bed too tidy? Why not shout: Nurse! Come & rumple my bed.
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