Automata Exhibition Opens at Exploratorium on November 17

Show features more than 20 mechanical sculptures by 12 artists

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SAN FRANCISCO (October 31, 2016) — The Exploratorium is pleased to announce the November 17 opening of Curious Contraptions: Featuring Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, an exhibition of more than 20 charming and often hilarious sculptures known as automata.

Like complex mechanical toys, these whimsical machines are brought to life by intricate arrangements of handmade cams, cranks, and other simple mechanisms. Each sculpture performs an absurd miniature drama, often reflecting its maker’s dark and very British sense of humor. Exposed inner workings encourage visitors to investigate the low-tech mechanisms used to make these automata move.

In addition to the collection of sculptures, the show will feature the sketches of automata artist Paul Spooner, as well interactive exhibits that help visitors understand how cranks, cams, and levers­—the building blocks of automata movement—work. The Exploratorium’s Tinkering Studio will offer cardboard automata workshops, helping visitors to create their own mechanical sculptures from this simple material.

Curator Nicole Minor collaborated with London-based Cabaret Mechanical Theatre to assemble the collection of automata.

“One of the things I love about automata makers today is their sense of humor,” Minor said. “Their automata often take a simple interaction of daily life and give it a surprising twist, something funny or sad or poignant. They make you laugh or see the world in a new way, which resonates deeply with the mission of the Exploratorium. “

The Exploratorium also commissioned a new piece, entitled “Dieselpunk Pegasus,” from artist Keith Newstead. The 18-inch wood and metal automaton presents a graceful, galloping winged horse that looks as if it was assembled from surplus World War II machinery.

Additional exhibits for Curious Contraptions are on loan from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and Science Projects, London.  

Curious Contraptions features pieces by the following artists: Paul Spooner, Keith Newstead, Carlos Zapata, Peter Markey, Patrick Bond, Lucy Casson, Michael Fong, Ron Fuller, Arthur Ganson, Kazuaki Harada, Paul Long, and Matt Smith. The show will be on view Thursday, November 17, 2016 through Sunday, January 29, 2017.

CALENDAR EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Curious Contraptions: Featuring Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
​Thursday, November 17, 2016 through Sunday, January 29, 2017
Exploratorium, Pier 15, (Embarcadero at Green Street), San Francisco, CA
Included with museum admission. 

Visit the Exploratorium this winter for an exhibition of more than 20 charming and often hilarious sculptures known as automata. Like complex mechanical toys, these whimsical machines are brought to life by intricate arrangements of handmade cams, cranks, and other simple mechanisms. Each sculpture performs an absurd miniature drama, often reflecting its maker’s dark and very British sense of humor. Exposed inner workings encourage visitors to investigate the low-tech mechanisms used to make these automata move.

The Exploratorium is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every Thursday, the museum reopens from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for adults only. For more about how to get here, visit exploratorium.edu/directions. For tickets and pricing information, visit exploratorium.edu/tickets.