autumn automata

"Some of the tableaux are automated with the movement hidden inside the piece and some are static. I like the element of surprise that happens when you discover a small handle, that when turned brings the piece to life. Many of the tableaux sit on top of a box which has a printed interior. The boxes are not obvious at first, but when discovered, can become secret hiding places for personal artefacts." Melanie Tomlinson

an automaton is a mechanical toy or sculpture. undoubtedly, mechanics meets art in melanie tomlinson's animated printed-tin scenes, but she takes her automata one step further with a curious twist: the autumnal scene pictured above is actually a box with a secret hiding place. inspired by human life and nature, the folklore characters that feed her imagination seem to be suitable muses. a-musing.