Ref: S3D37777
This course combines a taste for the surreal with learning how to build and control basic mechanisms to create surreal kinetic artworks from ready made objects, such as dolls. The making process is hands-on prototyping and experimentation, assessing what works and what does not, both aesthetically and mechanically. You will get to appreciate that accurate craftsmanship is necessary to produce well-functioning machinery, and that an eye for detail is required to identify and rectify problems.
The underlying creative principle is adventurous experimentation. You will spend time composing and juxtaposing bits and pieces together to create curious assemblages, doing so in tandem with considering what mechanical movements best enhance and heighten its impact and character. Success lies in harnessing the qualities of basic movements, rather than making complicated mechanisms.
You will also consider factors that can affect how people react to an automaton, such as whether it's powered by hand or a motor, and, if motor powered, how it might be triggered into action.
The tutor will provide an eclectic collection of junk, dolls and toys for the creative imagination, and an extensive collection of materials and components for the engineering side. You are also encouraged to bring along anything that may be of use (nothing too heavy, though).
The first evening session will introduce the tutor's automata and collection of mechanical toys, and there will a structured warm-up mechanism-making exercise.
On the morning of the first day, there will be a workspace and tool induction, and another structured making excercise to learn about some construction and movement basics. In the afternoon, you will start developing ideas for sculptures and the mechanisms to animate them. Under the tutor's guidance, these will be developed to completion in the remaining two days.
You must be prepared to come up with your own ideas, use your own initiative, and be willing and able to use power tools, with instruction as necessary.
On this course the tutor will supply all of the materials, including:
Available from shop:
Available from tutor:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Stephen Guy is a designer-maker specialising in mechanical art or automata. He discovered automata at the legendary Cabaret Mechanical Theatre many years ago and still works closely with them. He also works as Fire the Inventor running creative workshops and producing kits that explore how mechanisms work, the science behind them, and how art can be engineered.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.