Tea driven automata

Here is my next tea driven automata. 

Thanks again to Kevin Badni for a most excellent tea time conversation followed by working out the mechanical principles.

Tea driven automata

I have wanted to make automata driven by my cup of tea for some time. I spoke with my friend Kevin Badni about this and we brainstormed ways to make this possible. Thanks to Kevin we worked out how to make this happen and I have been making some tea driven automata since our chats.

The first one is a Tour de France cyclist. He carries on cycling for about 50 minutes per cup of tea.

The idea of harnessing all energy around us is central to these automata.

Etsy Shop open

I have decided to put the cartoons I draw for sale as prints in an Etsy Shop. These have been drawn simply for fun. I will put other items on there in time.

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JoFairfax?ref=si_shop

I hope that you enjoy them.

Beard Tax

What a strange and wonderful world this is.

Here is a Russian beard token from 1705. A tax imposed by Peter the Great. This token showed that the owner had paid the beard tax.

Interactive film

A short film showing the new installation at the new York City Council building, sited on the old York Railway Station.

Many thanks to:

Seb Boyesen

Laurence Pearce

Ian Giles

York City Council

Beam.

The piece is launched with other artworks on May 24th.

Interactive film

Just installed an interactive film in the entrance to the new York City Council building. The building is the old railway station. The old fashioned station master is triggered by movement in the entrance hall and undertakes a series of welcoming gestures and dances activated by  people as they walk through the space.

Massive thanks to Sebastien Boyesen, Laurence Pearce, Beam, York City Council and local actor Ian Giles.

Total Lighting Magazine article

An article on laser project 'Stitch' plus an interview has just been released in this months 'Total Lighting' magazine.

http://issuu.com/totallighting/docs/tl_feb_combined?mode=window

Pages 12 to 16.