Paul Spooner- Automata Artist | Curious Contraptions | Exploratorium

Meet Paul Spooner, one of the featured artists at the Exploratorium's Curious Contraptions exhibition.
Curious Contraptions explores small, surreal worlds through fantastical, often amusing mechanical sculptures known as automata. These whimsical machines are brought to life by intricate arrangements of handmade cams, cranks, and other simple mechanisms. Each sculpture performs an absurd miniature drama while also reflecting its maker's worldview and sense of humor. Exposed inner workings and low-tech mechanisms invite the viewer to understand how each one comes to life.
www.exploratorium.edu/curious...

[@Spex84]

Absolutely wonderful. I'm so delighted that this fellow and his creations exist!

[@drawitout]

He’s special. I’m so glad to have discovered him. 😍

[@itscalledlogic7]

This man and his work are absolutely charming. Him speaking as if he doesn't have redeeming qualities! Aw.

[@MsCherade9]

I really love Mr Spooner's work, I've seen a couple of longer length documentaries of him, including your own, and it just makes me wish to meet him. He reminds me of Terry Pratchett in many ways.

[@GradKat]

I love his work too. I saw some examples at an automata exhibition in London once. Included a number of his “Anubis” characters.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Another comparison would be Roland Emmett

[@baadtaste1337]

There used to be an automata "museum" in Covent Garden in London

[@katemccracking4100]

I love this man. He has the lovely innocence of a child

[@CONEHEADDK]

ooorr doooeeesss heeee..????

[@janescott3502]

Mr Spooner, you, your art, made me smile and laugh, thank you!

[@matthewrinehart2367]

First saw your work at The AVM in Baltimore. If I weren't so lazy you would be a great inspiration to me. Wishing you longevity!

[@andreguilles4919]

Dear critics and gallery owners, look at this genius artist with affection! You are a great art genius! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

[@TheLordArion]

I love this man and his work. What a wonderful soul. Really inspiring too. Hope I turn out something similar one day

[@scrubjay93]

I have always loved automata--this man is brilliant; his designs are so whimsical and delightful.

[@thehouseofautomata]

A rare display of sweet honesty, the work and the man

[@diannarnett3283]

I'm obsessed with your art!!! So creative...dark humor...whimsical...perfection!

[@frankcarter7146]

I really like this guy. And really LOVE his work. We share a similarly skewed aesthetic.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

If you like this guy - go see "Marvelous Marvin's Mechanical Museum" in Michigan....you'll LOVE it. It's filled with this guy's work and tons of OLD arcade machines....

[@JaimeHernandez-nz9ud]

wonderful, so really live & beatiful microworlds. Thank you for creating & sharing them!

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

Wonderful you! Thank God for your skills, and, you for sharing your creations with us. 😉🤙

[@Kittiesdawn]

What a fantastic gent….love his work and his mind!

[@cassandre4431]

Quelle jolie poésie, merci Monsieur de nous faire découvrir un peu de votre monde 💗

[@utabollmeyer.bildwebkunst]

I really like his work, full of creativity and humor!

[@therealzilch]

This is whimsy at its best. Bravo.

[@bevgordon7619]

Thank You! Paul! The world needs more WHIMSY!! I Vote you to be elected First Minister of Whimsy, Colour, and Joy!,

[@barbarasteinbrecher3857]

Maravilloso,espectacular,único felicitaciones !!! Realmente fabuloso trabajo.👏👏👏🤷🏻‍♀️bendiciones.

[@HeAD-CRuMBs]

Incredible work!!! ❤️

[@homesweethome4463]

I had seen your exhibition at TCDC Bangkok, Thailand. It is amazing and funny.

[@studiosandi]

Delightful❤

[@jimhood1202]

You are a success Paul. Your work made me laugh. It's also inspired me to make automata of my own. Thanks for that. All the best from Panama.

[@redbeki]

Beautiful workshop. Very beautiful pieces.

[@Problembeing]

One of my favourite places to visit as a child was the Cabernet Mechanical Theatre in Covent Garden in the early 1980s. Loved the interactive and humorous machines. Thank you, Paul for bringing wonder and joy to my child brain! *Spot my spoonerism 🤪

[@lpanayi6954]

Same! I miss it being there so much. I want to be able to take my own kids there. 🥲

[@judeirwin2222]

CABARET. I think you'll find that Cabernet is a type of grape and wine.

[@georginafraser451]

I love this man and the automata world, god bless u.

[@alanrothnie1410]

Just found your amazing works❤. Your amazing works make me smile. Thankyou.

[@z.h.4380]

Úžasné 😍👏👏👏

[@unclejake154]

Briliant, funny, and wonderful. Thank you.

[@matthewyoder2085]

The cat one is absolutely brilliant!!

[@theressamurphy2996]

love his skills🎉

[@hagamosartetuyyo77]

Felicitaciones , eres un gran Genio , congratulations , you are a big genious 😍

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Bloody Brilliant!

[@monkeyshinemmie]

Wonderful!

[@starrwilson6818]

This is just awesome.

[@HAL-99000]

Extraordinary beautiful

[@foxopossum]

Everything IS funny! Kindred spirits we are who can laugh at anything

[@readingaddiction]

wow I saw Paul Spoons work at the covent garden mechanical theatre in the 80s - was alway a joyful place to visit and see Anubis making jokes!! wonderful to know you are still at it!! hooray 🎉

[@stel1000]

1:08 actually yes auto means self . But mataa / menos means tortion or power in some way so it means that this thing creates it’s own tortion . Also you can think of the automata is the plural of automatic as you use it in English. It’s also means something happens right away .

[@sanchopp]

Fantastique. C'est tout bonnement magnifique, drôle, beau.

[@caryolkob8199]

Just fascinating!!!😄

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Love his work and that sketch book could be published as is and it would be fascinating to read.

[@steves7896]

Back in the glory days of MTV (the 1980's) it seems like I had seen his work in a station ID short.

[@monceau27]

Great artist and man !

[@AIRBORNE611]

Sir, you are a genius.

[@ShirleiBarnes]

Beautiful

[@djpelissey]

I love your stuff!!!

[@discoghost6168]

OMG! I don't know wether I am in love with this man or I want to become him as soon as possible 😍😍😍

[@frankvesterdahl6510]

I really like your way of thinking and that there is a funny side in almost everything..😁💪🏽🇩🇰 I really love your work..🙏🏽

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Just superb

[@constancekrischan9967]

I so love this channel ant automatons!

[@heidim6468]

What a great imagination you have.

[@martinstauce1946]

Fabuloso

[@ingridguimaraesleitao2457]

Funtastic! 😄

[@zlatahume3134]

Love your stuff, keep going 😜☺️

[@alillahparra94]

Amazing

[@richiebuzz]

Wonderful! He reminds me of Gepetto.

[@davidjbrace1]

What a fantastic skill, how inspiring, I would love to be your apprentice , although Im 74 year old engineer.

[@Heffalumpz]

I want to know how to make these. Where can I learn how to do it??

[@jdc9528]

"Poisoned Milk" ........................CLASSIC!

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

Fantastic

[@CONEHEADDK]

thanks

[@rondyson8323]

That's great , I'm not the only one that would get up in the middle of the night to draw an idea before I forget it . I like the 19th centuary , not all of it , but I like the idea that they were trying to build things to last a lifetime . I also have trouble using my phone and computer etc. I would tell you more but my arms hurt when useing them to mutch now , ... Cheers mate

[@lindamon5101]

Im in love

[@CONEHEADDK]

thanks

[@Goomer]

Wonderful work

[@CONEHEADDK]

For a second, I read your name as "Groomer", and was just about aplauding you for bravery.. :D

[@PeteAxeShields]

PROPER !! 🙏 X

[@bearshield7138]

That is so cool

[@gypsycatharina]

GEWELDIG , WAT EEN LEUKE OBJECTS , Groetjes RINI.

[@964cuplove]

Please how can this be so short ? I want a 5 hour documentary on him !!!!

[@judeirwin2222]

I have owned a couple of his automata, but lost them through divorce and moving house. Love this man. If he is ever single and looking for a mate, I will be first in line.

[@Buttermilkjug]

I am of the like of this!~

[@desperatelyseekingrealnews]

I find myself wondering if that beautiful house is the proceeds of his amazing craft?

[@claudiaalmiron7173]

💗👏👏👏

[@philipwatson3594]

ive always wanted to make an automaton where do you start ?

[@grifcheese1076]

Me too I'm 15 and I would really like to learn

[@outtellect]

Search autamaton on pinterest and try the easier mechanisms and paper autamatons and take it from there

[@philipwatson3594]

@@outtellect ill give that a go thanks

[@CONEHEADDK]

anywhere

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@grifcheese1076 Don't - just try, and it will happen.. Same like when you learned to walk..

[@user-ic8rt1gt6b]

Такими игрушками в старину на Руси детишки играли. Всё возвращается

[@pietromattioli285]

Meravigliosi

[@segasega8]

...........................................🥰👏👏👏👏✨

[@thekaiser4333]

Reminds me of Tim Hunkin.

[@alerey4363]

He's the Picasso of the wooden bots

[@josefx1389]

I can smell the wood shavings in that shop.

[@irishgrl]

A modern day Gepetto

[@cecilegillo4114]

Geppetto in real life !

[@CONEHEADDK]

I also enjoy drawing, and working, naked. A shame most of my house doesn't have heating though.. :/

[@schubertjorg7428]

Der Mensch gefällt mir. Diese wunderbaren Kunstwerke zeugen von einer gehörigen Portion Humor.

[@2209009pm]

Paul looks a bit like, Floyd the barber from the Andy Griffith show.

[@pablogranadaladoabierto4434]

¿Qué tan cierta es la historia de Francine, la hija autómata del filósofo y matemático René Descartes? Les comparto el book tráiler de mi novel titulada "Francine Descartes: el eje roto del alma". Espero que les guste. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6eofZiqo9Z9Z7c

[@zhalehemaratpardaz7896]

Fathers pinocio !! Geppto

[@leonardoromero2000]

he lives in a very archetypical house, that's funny

[@express375]

instagram bro

[@MrMackanno]

If Mr. Spooner considers himself not to be clever ...most of us are doomed!

[@celsoramosgoncalez2574]

Gepeto.

[@DaftDude]

Consider picking a better thumbnail, I almost lost out on this amazing guy to to the boring thumbnail.

[@CONEHEADDK]

TWO things - 1 - remember, that all likes and comments result in him getting more PR. 2 - Can he make a living doing this, or is he "rich" from something else?

[@bari2883]

Mr spooner couldn’t you have the cat smelling dirty feet and collapsing? My cats were poisoned by my neighbour and died . It still haunts me.

[@k13ehr]

Lovely chap, I don't have a filter either, so if you're easily offended go away in jerky movements, or come again when you've less time.

[@peaoat3608]

The cat died... That's... hilarious... ?

[@seanwelch71]

Paul, ideas and skills without humor is preciously overated.

[@lindarietheimer525]

I guess he hated cats.Jerk.