Lost & Found - World's Largest Collection of Rustic Automata

Take a peek into Blair's bizarre and beautiful world. In a remote corner of New Zealand's South Island, tucked away among the last remaining tracts of native forest, lies a little-known place of wonder. It is the life's work and extraordinary creation of inventor, artist and self-confessed tinkerer, Blair Somerville.
For over ten years Blair has single-handedly owned, operated and ceaselessly expanded the Lost Gypsy Gallery, his wonderland of homegrown wizardry and a playground for kids and adults alike. Using only recycled materials, Blair takes DIY to artistic extremes. His creations are ingenious, interactive, and often hilariously impractical. They take many shapes and forms and share an uncanny ability to amaze, entertain and inspire.
A film experiment by Joey Bania, made with funding from the BBC Worldwide Young Producers' grant. www.joeybania.com/
Music provided by The Books - thebooksmusic.com/
Clothing provided by Cactus Equipment - cactusequipment.co.nz/
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If you'd like to visit Blair, please note that he is open summers only, November - April, 10am to 5pm. Closed Wednesdays
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Video blocked in Australia, Germany, New Zealand because of music rights...

[@TheSnedderingYunk]

Touring NZ, I was driving along on my way to Invercargill when I spotted his bus and stuff beside the road. I got out and had a look round. He is very friendly and we talked about his inventions. Amazing man.

[@Animatrixx]

if we had more people like this in the world, what a happy place it would be.. xx

[@mariamogaburu2765]

A genius, and with the soul of a child.

[@abhishekpareek9228]

We need more people like this guy

[@facelessdrone]

Be a people like this guy. Nothings stopping you.

[@spy4863]

Fantastic! This man has a lot of talent! In the beginning when he was playing the xylophone I thought he was one of his own automatons! I was thinking, "That one playing the xylophone sure looks and moves realistically!! But he's definitely an automaton.......I think!" Boy was I surprised to see that he was real!

[@parkerdoelling3557]

This was amazing to watch

[@PanPeopleProject]

can you tell me his address or website?

[@kimjeanw]

@@PanPeopleProject joeybania.com/

[@petergambier]

Great collection of stuff and junk too.Automata has always held a fascination for me,I love this film Blair is an interesting man,I'd love to meet him.

[@darkallegiance666]

Brilliant, & happy!

[@rogerb5615]

A stop-motion masterpiece! Folks often do not realize that thirty seconds of finished video takes thirty minutes to line up and shoot.

[@kellywallace-wilson7942]

I'm in love! What a great mind and attitude Blaire Somerville has

[@daleb17345]

These automata are incredible! I was honestly laughing at so many of these quirky and exciting contraptions, very inspiring for my university project on automata :)

[@currysteph]

great job on filming this...really love the topic and the effects you put into it.....

[@theboytheycalljonny1]

Excellent watch. Thanks.

[@weeverob]

the world needs more of you

[@jcjensenllc]

Very creative documentary and automata artist

[@dollydogs]

I enjoyed your video loved your workshop and it's location, you made the right choices to do what you do. You could be my inspiration to begin making stuff for fun. I just put up a new garden shed and fitted it out. I'd love to start making some automata, your rustic style is great. Your doing what I always wanted to do.. Oh and great to find a Nutty eccentric Englishman so far from Blighty.

[@phillippettit2138]

Well said

[@theresasmith8533]

Fascinating chap.....!

[@KaMiLe1956]

Fantastic video xxxx xxxx

[@ianelley]

Love it !!! I want to visit !!

[@erik8999]

How can anyone give this a thumbs down? Brilliant guy!

[@triciaford1957]

WOW...FANTASTIC

[@mariamogaburu2765]

Wonderful!

[@steves9130]

Wolverine’s retirement is both more wholesome and eclectic than I would have expected. :)

[@ErikChainsawCharles]

Nice job by Joey Bania.

[@lynettegriffiths9740]

So VERY interesting, I love collecting junk and found marvels. You are an inspiration, although I haven't your talent, I do try to make my sketched ideas. Keep on the excellent working ideas. X

[@melissamixon6212]

How wonderful!!!

[@nikolailockertsen]

Love it

[@Lylo-mj8ek]

Stunning! What an amazing way to take in life. Peace.

[@KJensenStudio]

What an excellent film by Joey Bania, and what a fantastic person to interview! Blair is fabulously interesting, and I was sorry to see the film end. I'd love to see Blair's' gallery.

[@ronin478]

Really Cool!!!!

[@tigertalk2106]

Hmmm....inventors....what would the world do without them? 🤔🤗

[@MantisGarageB]

this guy is great i have often also referred to myself as an organic mechanic thanks for posting this video

[@daveivanovic9505]

Neat stuff!

[@sciencedavedunning3415]

You are a resourceful, talented, clever, artist....... also slightly weird ( of spiritual origin ) ...... having certain qualities in common with you, I will allow you to share use of my own motto, if you like......... "There is nothing made, out of which I cannot make something else"

[@craig4451]

That's an artist.

[@babyfefe999]

What a beautiful film

[@TheCzechthomas]

I have been there and it was amazing! greeting from czech republic, this guy is definition what fraze : crazy kiwi means :)

[@catrinblack8097]

I love men that create, so good to see.

[@bjornf7376]

Wow!

[@puty-rp1zx]

i love this guy

[@rogergarcia3021]

Nice thanks for sharing makes me feel normal or not. Maybe 😂🤣🤗

[@trudicohen7049]

I find this film frustrating. Fantastic subject, and only fast-fire glimpses of the ingenious creations. Slow it down please!

[@maxgame4811]

🤩

[@jeffharmed1616]

Blair I think you're on the right track - keep it up and make more videos

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

good

[@customerjon]

This dude is the bestest.

[@QIKUGAMES-QIKU]

And Video not blocked in Australia 🇦🇺

[@otis369]

Reminds me of stop motion animation.

[@osalgulama]

GREAT AND CREATIVE LIFE YOU ALSO LIVE IN PARADISE, COOL!

[@stevenhorak6413]

I want to be this guy....

[@connordoody1812]

This is mockery to what automatons were really about.

[@arriagatwo777]

Don't tell me he's not a steampunk guy

[@SusanBrown-il3sp]

Has Tim Burton discovered this fellow yet?!

[@jordanrenaud-pq7rx]

Now i know why my soul has been drawing me to NZ...should have listened long ago. Canada just has nothing for me. ARI on the scale and a wasted life.

[@joeguzman3558]

That's what happens when you fet an endless supply of mariguana

[@maggiemoran7747]

Joe Guzman what's that? an iguana that you smoke?

[@samwestwell5982]

I think you have cracked it, congratulations and thanks for the video and all the best for2024…

[@PanPeopleProject]

how do we find you Blair? what is your address?

[@TridentMissileTech]

Too fast

[@QIKUGAMES-QIKU]

Subbed❤ do you want help ? I could build these all day 😊