A new one-off piece from Paul Spooner. The teeth are made of the last of Spooner’s grandad’s boxwood rules. The jaws ratchet open then shut. Air travels from the bottom bellows up the leg tube into the little bellows. The small bellows is made with a kind of intestinal membrane called zephyrs, used for the […]
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Interplanetary Gears by Patrick Bond
Now available to order, this very special design from Patrick Bond. Turn the handle and set your universe in motion. A flying saucer orbits the globe, the gears are made from parts of a bicycle, and the globe is made from welded steel beaten into shape. Height – approx 50 cm Individual customisation available if […]
Michael Landy – Saints Alive at The National Gallery
A series of large-scale kinetic sculptures by artist Michael Landy bring a contemporary twist to the lives of the saints at The National Gallery, London. This new collection of dramatic Tinguely-esque sculptures are enormous, noisy and mainly constructed from refuse. Well worth a visit if you are in the capital. Michael Landy: Saints Alive (2013) […]
Be Nice to Bees by Keith Newstead
Keith Newstead’s lovely flying bee is a charming present for the Queen Bee in your life, turn the handle safe in the knowledge that you won’t get stung! Made of recycled materials, wood, metal and paint. Each piece signed and numbered by the artist. 32 cm Tall £90 (excl. VAT)
Heart Beater by Martin Smith
This is a small version of Heart Machine, an alarming little machine to demand the attention of the one you love. Available in vibrant red or shiny brass. Martin Smith makes kinetic devices that investigate themes of humour, nonsense and futility. He originally designed and made the Heart Beater as a St Valentines Day gift […]
How to Make a Ratchet Mechanism – Dug’s Tips 11
How to Make a Ratchet Mechanism A ratchet can be a very useful mechanism within an automaton. It can be used to keep the handle from being turned the wrong way or to divide the cycle of action into a series of small steps. This is one way to extend the duration of the performance. […]
Le Clown sans Tête by Pierre Mayer
A new edition from French artist Pierre Mayer. Pierre, a magician and engineer, has been making beautiful limited edition magic themed automata for over 10 years. This latest piece is inspired by the original antique automata by Phalibois. The colourful clown amuses us by relocating his head to his box on the stage. Height 27 […]
Amazing Automata Tour
20 of our favourite pieces are now on tour in the UK. Come along this summer and have fun bringing the pieces to life at the touch of a button. There are lots of classics, such as Paul Spooner’s The Barecats, The Spaghetti Eater, Peter Markey’s Piano Player and Keith Newstead’s Ski-ing Dog. Alternative Technology […]
A Goat in the Park
Kimberley Park in Falmouth, Cornwall, now has three amazing outdoor automata by makers Paul Spooner, Keith Newstead and Rob Higgs – all who live locally. Paul Spooner gives us more on the background of his kicking goat design.
Rowing Man by Richard Hackney
We are delighted to introduce the work of automata maker Richard Hackney. You can find out more about Richard and his work in this video. We have two only of Richards beautiful Rowing Man automata, which are made from recycled metals. Turn the handle, which is a reclaimed plumbing part, and the metal man rows through […]
