CRAFTING CURIOUS AUTOMATA with Stephen Guy

About

CRAFTING CURIOUS AUTOMATA with Stephen Guy

29 July 2022 – 31 July 2022
Clayhill Arts
Somerset, United Kingdom

Participants will explore how the mechanisms and linkages function, and craft their own (fairly) simple automata using these movements in tandem with their own ideas and artistic styles.

There will be structured exercises on the first day, then for the next two days, students work on their own projects under the tutor’s guidance. Students must be prepared to come up with ideas and work on their own initiative. The emphasis is on practical experimentation and prototyping rather than designing for a preconceived end product. This course is about being playful with mechanisms, thinking about how the movements themselves can inspire the artwork and how they can be harnessed for creative effect.

Stephen will provide a wide range of construction materials, art/craft resources and a junk box. Participants are welcome to bring along their own materials and any curious bits and pieces which could be incorporated into the designs. Participants will need the ability to use basic hand tools, such as drills, saws, pliers, and instruction will be given (if required) to use bench tools, such as a scroll saw and pillar drill.

By the end of the course you will have:
* Learnt the fundamentals about how mechanisms work and ways to construct them, about the need for accuracy and good construction for machines to work well, and how to identify problems and solve them.
* A solid grounding in combining art with mechanical movement, seeing the creative possibilities of different types of movement, and the confidence (if needed!) and inspiration to want to continue building mechanical sculptures.
* Your own working automata! This will depend on the complexity of a piece, an individual’s skill level and working pace, but over the course of the three days, you will have a working piece/s that you can take home with you!

Onsite accommodation can also be provided for this course, making this a fully immersive learning experience and giving you the time and space to develop a new peer network.
If you do choose to stay with us, delicious and bespoke meals will also be specially prepared for you! 

For more information about the course and for accommodation, head over to our website:
 www.clayhillarts.co.uk/accommodation

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE:
 www.clayhillarts.co.uk/activity/crafting-curious-automata

LEARN MORE HERE:
 www.clayhillarts.co.uk/tutors/stephen-guy

STEPHEN'S SOCIALS:
www.facebook.com/FireTheInventor
hwww.instagram.com/firetheinventor
www.twitter.com/firetheinventor
www.firetheinventor.co.uk

For any questions or enquiries, please send us a message and we look forward to seeing you!

info@clayhillarts.co.uk
01278 256596