Ref: S4D41171
The idea of the course is to further your knowledge and skills from previous automata workshops you may have attended. With help from the tutor, the use of West Dean's resources and being in a group of automata enthusiasts, the aim is to create a kind of automata-makers' retreat for a few days.
There will not be any beginners starter exercises, so you can get straight into making your own project. Final outcomes will be dependent on skill levels, complexity of projects, and on available resources and time.
The making process will be oriented towards hands-on prototyping and experimenting, accurate construction, and what to look for when a mechanism malfunctions.
The heart of the making process is playful creativity, seeing how the mechanisms themselves can trigger ideas, perhaps in conjunction with found objects, toys and junk. We're talking low-tech, hand turned machines.
Your tutor will provide an eclectic mix of curios and stuff from his own store cupboard, but you are also encouraged to bring in your own bits and bobs. Do bring any of your favourite hand tools as well.
Your tutor will bring his collection of automata and example mechanisms for studying. These will be central to learning more about the joys and frustrations of building automata.
On the first evening we'll discuss resources, tools, project ideas, possiblities and recap on key aspects of automata-making, then from the first morning you will be working on your own piece at your own pace.
A wide range of wood, metal and plastic materials and components will be supplied by your tutor for building the mechanisms. These should cover most general requirements, but you are encouraged to bring your own too.
Your tutor will also provide some motors for anyone interested in checking out how to motorise their machines.
A variety of wood sections and offcuts, plywood, MDF, dowel; a variety of metal wire and rod; a range of fixings, fasteners and adhesives; craft materials such as card, felt tip pens and eclectic boxes of junk, curios, toys, found objects. Found metal, wire, rods
Check out examples of automata and think of possible ideas for your main project.
You are encouraged to bring along any interesting bits of junk, curios etc that could be animated (not too heavy though!), and any favourite art and craft materials.
Gardens Gatehouse Craft 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.
