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Tantalus Mackerel and a School of Fish automata

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Automata and kinetic sculpture artist Chris Fitch uses engineering to create repeated moments in time. Named for the Greek mythological figure Tantalus, the fish-themed piece above, Tantalus Mackerel, follows a frustrated fish trying to catch a bug. The piece is accompanied by Maria Callas singing O mio babbino caro from Giacomo Puccini‘s Gianni Schicchi.

Fitch also recently refurbished his 1993 piece School of Fish, seen below.

Inspired by the works of Alexander Calder and American folk art generally, this piece is largely made from litho-tin cans that had contained fish in them (i.e. sardines, tuna, and anchovies), some of which are no longer available, having been replaced by paper labels.


Watch these automata videos next: Curious Contraptions by automata artist Paul Spooner, Haruki Nakamura’s surprising paper karakuri animals, and The Silver Swan. Plus: Videos featuring gears.

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