The Man Engine Puppet At King Edward Mining Museum, Cornwall

We have finally caught sight of The Man Engine Puppet.

Sadly, we haven't managed to see his transformation to his full 10 metre or so standing height, he has proved so popular ... 16,000 people in Camborne by all accounts, we just haven't got anywhere near seeing this marvelous trick of theatre.
We thought we would try to do so at a venue nearby. But we did a reccy and found that the roads around would be closed from 3 - 8 pm. A rural venue, we just couldn't be doing the miles of walking required and the potential crowds in a small space. So we opted to watch his procession and "crouching" performance at The King Edward Mining Museum near Troon... on Wednesday afternoon.

Oh, I do likes a bit of theatre. And this is a jolly fine thing. Lots of work. Made in Camborne, dreamed up by Will Coleman of Golden Tree Productions.
It would appear there are hoped-for plans take His Mechanical Marvelousness  across the seas ... to follow the diaspora of the Cornish miners in the 19th century... Mexico, America, Australia? Where they be going I do wonder?

Some of The Old Man's ancestors were Cornish miners. One of his great grandmothers was born in Brazil. But you wouldn't know to look at him, would you. Me? Sorry my dears... I am not Cornish, so I shall just hush up now.

Hoping To Catch Sight Of "The Man Engine"

sometime soon ...cos who can resist the prospect of being in the presence of a 40 foot high mechanical puppet?

Well. Not I.

This marvelous, powered, puppet of a Cornish miner started its tour of heritage mining sites and towns, from West Devon to Cornwall, earlier on this week and the tour finishes at Geevor on Sat 6th August. Unfortunately it won't be "transforming" to full height at all of its stopping places precisely because of the mining history it celebrates ... some sites won't bear its weight because of the underlying tunnels and workings. But plenty of celebrations are planned for its route ... with Penzance throwing in a Steam Punk fancy dress theme for spectators. Find out more about its progress at The Man Engine site.

The Old Man and me wish it well and hope to clap eyes on its noisy, fumy glory.

Keith Newstead & Rob Higgs Automata for Tonatore's "The Best Offer"

Video of Keith Newstead's automata work with Rob Higgs for two life size clockwork men for use as props for the film 'The Best Offer' by Tonatore .... (Director of "Cinema Paradiso").

Incredible work.
But if you don't like "clockwork humans" don't watch!

Shared from Keith Newstead's YouTube Spot.

Work in Progress: Keith Newstead

Just posted a video of Keith Newstead's new automata piece. You can find more of his work on the gallery page of his own website.

Keith Newstead: Exeter Museum Donations Box

Millennium Exhibition: Carlos Zapata "Child Soldiers"

This looks good. I am not a great fan of St Ives... (teenage years spent in Carbis Bay)... But I do rate the Anima-Mundi Gallery. And I do love automata. And this exhibition by Colombian artist based in Cornwall, Carlos Zapata, is the darker side of automata.
Take the time to watch the video interview and better still - the time to visit the exhibition. Think we shall.

Carlos Zapata 'Child Soldiers' - Artist Interview Film from Anima-Mundi on Vimeo.
Interview with Carlos Zapata to coincide with the exhibition 'Child Soldiers' held at Millennium, St. Ives from 25th May until 19th June 2012

Moving Wonders: Keith Newstead

Talking to Niece the other day about automata.

Yes ... another thing that I do love. Thought I'd check the web for info for her... she's a rare lady without a computer nor any form of digital communication. (Yes, such people do exist.)

Anyways I came across Keith Newstead Automata, a great site showing his work, his blog, and links to other automated treasures. Can't resist sharing this Newstead piece - an automaton collection box commissioned by John Rylands Library, Manchester.

You may not know it but Mrs D spent a lot of her working (ha-ha) life as a librarian.....

So we do understand the Dragon reference here.

Enjoy... and check out his site.