Welcome to this month's news from CMT, which is full of the joys of Spring.

To get us in the mood, Fi Henshall has produced a fantastic one off piece and there's a great opportunity to buy an original Paul Spooner.  Keith Newstead has been as busy as ever (see Simon Tait's latest Mews) and is launching two new brass automata designs. You can also download some original drawings for an elaborate unbuilt machine by Paul Spooner.

'Cat with Wooden Leg' by Paul Spooner

Paul Spooner has made 10 only of these new automata.  The cat (who doesn't actually have a wooden leg, but is rubbing his side against one) gently bends down and springs up again.  The cat's legs are made from springy drive bands, and the leg is clad in a waterproof shooting boot. All ten are made from mahogany from an old piece of furniture, ("it's great wood, no woodworm..")

H: 14 cm (5.5 inches)

£220 (excl. VAT) £258.50 incl. VAT

An exuberant new piece from Fi Henshall, who is really enjoying making automata, (and sometimes even makes pieces by mistake!)

Two birds (male and female, as revealed by their various metal appendages) perform a fluttering dance together.

A small bird at the side rings the bell with encouragement. 

H: 28cm (11 inches) 
£1450 (excl. VAT) £1703.75 (incl. VAT) 

This exciting new piece echoes Keith's original wooden design, "Pigs Might Fly". The piece is made from cut brass, and has a lovely flying action. 'Pigs will Fly'  makes the perfect affirmative gift, to celebrate those very special moments, (like publishing that long-awaited first novel or spring cleaning the house). 

Keith Newstead's next new cut brass automata is a glorious flying horse,  The 'Pegasus', (which echoes his early design,  'The Birth of Fast Food'.) The piece makes a wonderful gift for any home, (or to celebrate a win in the Kentucky Derby).  

Available from 8th April 2010

A fantastic large scale version of 'How to Live No 17: Spaghetti' is now a permanent exhibit at phaeno in Wolfsburg. It is part of a new exhibition ' Robo and Co' which combines highlights from different fields to celebrate phaeno's 5th birthday. 'The master of ceremonies of course is our great friend The Robothespian, who presides over the man in the bath, and other astounding novelties.

Only an hour by high speed train from Berlin, this science centre is always a great day out.

In 1984 Paul Spooner designed an elaborate machine which was to have been on display in a shopping centre in York.  (This was four years before the Ride of Life).  The machine was called the Tax Inspector, was to be 'an automatic window display to cheer up the passers-by' .  It was to have six scenes dealing with a day in the life of the Taxman, and the finale, as the machine opened up was a dream sequence.
You can download copies of Paul's original drawings of the ideas for these scene for £1.40.

Kazu Harada's new exhibition

Kazu Harada's new Automata exhibition opens tomorrow in Tokyo, featuring more than 20 pieces. 

24 Mar. - 5 Apr.
(holiday : 30 Mar. )
13:00-20:00
Mansion Jun 105
3-12-9 Kichijoji-Honmachi  Musashino-city  Tokyo
 

This colourful new piece for 2010 Carlos Zapata.
It would look perfect amongst the greenery of a conservatory or bringing some life to your plants at work.
The chameleon on top of his perch, endlessly tries to catch the fly for his lunch.

Price  £595 Excl. VAT (£699.13 Incl. VAT)