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Oak Run Studios, 888 Marsh Cutoff PO Box 499, Mosier, Oregon, 97040 (541) 478-3451 ©2006
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Automata is another word used for this kind of sculpture. It means any mechanical device that imitates, refers to, or is a duplication of animal movement, including humans. Cookoo clocks were some of the first automata which developed during the Middle Ages and with the notable exception of Hero or Heron of Alexandra, automata started and grew simultaneously with the development of clocks in the Middle Age.
I called it Crank Art before I knew about automata. To me it is a kind of sculpture that uses cranks operated by the viewer to activate the sculpture. Turning a crank could result in turning a wheel, making something bob or rock, ringing a chime or some other whirligig type action.
I have combined toy vocabulary with traditional fine art vocabulary to make something different. I like the whimsey of toy, the fun of it, but I also like well designed and crafted artwork. Surprise, involvement of the viewer, pleasing design and a high level of craftsmanship are all parts of my kind of mechanical art. These sculptures are intended for adults because they are designed to appeal to a sense of form, rhythm and balance yet allow room for impulse and play.
Different media are used including wood, non ferrous metals and found objects. Paint is of the highest quality enamel and the wood, if there is wood, is high grade maple or alder found here in the Pacific Northwest.
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Crank Art
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| There are only one or or two of each of these designs available. When they are gone I will not be making more. The average size is 16" long, and 12" inches wide and about 12" high. Wood is the dominant material with aluminum, copper and brass parts. |
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| Whabbit Wheel: By either turning the crank or pushing down on the dog's tail, the wheel and dog move in concert with one another. If you get the wheel moving in the right direction it looks like the dog is chasing the whabits. The whabbits are pink, the dog yellow 16" w x 20" long 12" high.--------------------------------------$725 |
Swan: Turning the crank makes the wheel go around and the head bob up and down my means of a push rod. Once momentum has been built up the whole thing can be kept moving by continuing to push down on the nose. The head is alder with natural finish, blue painted stripe and stained red stripe. The wheel is painted light blue, gold and red with a natural wood hub. The wing form is satin finished aluminum on a light gray base------------------------$599 |
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| Dino-Deer: The figure is a cross between a dinosaur and a deer. Turning the crank makes the blue PVC head and tail move up and down. A cam also makes the three brass forms in the center move back and forth and makes a clinking sound. All is mounted on a satin finished aluminum form which is resting on a dark red painted wood base.10" w, 24" l, 14" h.----------------------------$690 |
Horse Feathers: Turning the crank moves the blue PVC head and tail up and down. The red PVC shapes in the center are on a cam and slot system which makes them move in an oval pattern and in different directions from each other. The feathers make kind of a clacking noise. The bearing blocks and cam are natural finish alder, the wing forms aluminum and all is on a burgundy color painted wood base. 16" w, 19" l, 12" h-------------------$799 |
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