Paul Spooner : Mechanical Joke Maker

I am a huge fan of Paul Spooner’s work. Paul is my kind of artist. An impeccable craftsman, tinkerer, visionary and joke teller. He blends serious mechanics with over the top woodcarving skills to create wondrous automata. On a trip to Falmouth I made the trek out to his home and studio buried in a hillside. My time spent with he and his wife was pure magic. His kindness and creative spirit were only out shone by his great sense of humor. Find more of his work through the Cabaret Mechanical Theater. cabaret.co.uk/artists/paul-spooner/

[@avahsieh4645]

"Why do you make these jokes?" Paul: "Because I am completely unsuited to make anything else." The line makes me smile. Paul is so witty and funny. It would be lovely and palatable to see his crafts to be adapted into illustration books or slice-of-life short film.

[@kjamison5951]

I saw a TV programme on his work years ago. He made a model of a guy sitting in a bath, eating spaghetti. He wasn't happy with the initial bite so he re-engineered the cams to make the model chew a few times. Brilliant!

[@urbanobjects]

The spaghetti eater is a crowd favorite.

[@quantumleap359]

Paul is a clever little boy trapped in a grown man's body! What a treasure! Thanks for posting.

[@urbanobjects]

Quantum Leap perfect description!

[@BradHollowniczky]

There is an extensive gallery of Mr. Spooner's creations in Baltimore, MD at the American Visionary Art Museum which specializes in works by self-taught outsider artists. It's a wonderful museum and Mr. Spooner's are amongst my favorite works in their collection.

[@urbanobjects]

Bradley Lyndon thanks for the comment. The AVAM is one of my all time favorite museums. I believe there is a permanent show there of a bunch of Cabaret Mechanical people’s work and featuring Paul’s. Perfect venue for it. Thanks again!

[@BradHollowniczky]

I live in Lancaster PA and work at a place called Arch Street Center. It's a drop-in day center for adults with mental illness. I helped secure a grant for art-based field trips, supplies and activities a few years ago and our first trip was to the AVAM. It was a big hit with our members who attended. As you know there's a permanent exhibit of works by artists with mental illness. Those works particularly resonated with our people and a couple of them have since begun to hone their own artistic skills. They still talk about the mirror-encrusted fart machine! It was a memorable trip and the AVAM is a magical place. Cheers!

[@urbanobjects]

Bradley I love how that museum so deeply moves so many people. I first visited in the 1996 while doing the ACC craft show. The museum altered their hours so artists from the show could visit after hours. To be with so many artists in a space filled with art that we all deeply understood was profound. We were all geeking out at every turn. Friends who do meticulous embroidery work were standing gobsmacked in front of the incarcerated artists works that were seen using found sock thread. I was stopped in my tracks by the single carved figure of a man from a fallen tree. It was a self portrait done by a man who had been in a sanitarium for years. Haunting. On a return trip I saw an exhibition of Judith Scott’s work. She was a twin with Down’s syndrome who lived a horrible life in an institution. She was discovered late in life by her sister who rescued her from that place and moved her to San Francisco to a loving facility. She showed no interest in the activities at the place for a while. Then one day she started gathering materials. She wrapped objects obsessively with yarn creating larger and larger forms of mummified objects. Once she started she was unstoppable. She was focused and in the zone for years. Her work for me represents that artistic fire that lives within each of us. Continue doing the good work you do. Thanks for the comments.

[@BradHollowniczky]

Aaron Kramer I love my job and I love that I can share my own strengths and interests with my members. The wood sculpture self-portrait you mention left one of my members absolutely gobsmacked. This is a big, burly guy who doesn't like to show his real emotions and hides behind a lot of bluster and jokes. It was a true epiphany for him. Sounds like you've had an epiphany or two there yourself! That must habe been a wonderful experience being there with a group of artists amd seeing what untrained folks with an intense desire to create can come up with using only the barest of found materials. I am hoping we can do a follow up trip this spring or summer. We've done some other galleries and museums but I would really like to share that place with more of my people. Cheers!

[@adjenkinsuk]

In a world where everything is consumer driven, plastic, disposable rubbish this is true art. The detail, care and feeling put into this work is astounding. Paul you are very much a genius. You mention Picaso, you are a modern day Picasso or DaVinci in my eyes.

[@urbanobjects]

He really is. Thanks for watching.

[@galactikbutterfly]

I love x1000 this man’s art

[@carmelpule6954]

I can appreciate this gentleman's mind and skills as I tried to do some automata toys myself. First I wish to congratulate him on his design sketchbook on which he keeps records of what he does or intend to do. What strikes me most is his wish to create very complex sequences which tells a full stories. I definitely can appreciate his need to build prototypes which as he says do not always work as he want it to work and that takes time. In fact I can admire this man in that the time he spends in thinking the action must be a long time and his finishing is so good that too must take a long time to achieve, I like his sculpting and when he showed a model of a young girl sitting beside a silly boy scout , on looking at their faces, this gentleman must have a very good idea of society both in how the mental and physical actions of people go about. I really do not know how he makes a living out of this as the time involved to do these models are so long and so he must have some very understanding customers. He is also an expert in woods as I can see the selection of the woods and its harness is fitting very well the sequence required and not all woods are suitable for certain functions. Such movements, and such linkages should be used in schools to teach all the associated subjects as mathematics and physics and movements through cranks, levers , gears, cams . He has a full educational system for which he works do hard and it is a pity that schools are not filled with such sequences which are a representation of the universe around us. No contents of a book can equal to the reality that this man depicts. Sir may I offer my congratulations for your work, you must be a very dedicated person to spend all that time thinking about the linkages and the timing to produce an action. It seems to give you peace of mind and your happy eyes show it so clearly

[@gonephishin58gmail]

Carmel Pule' Very well said, this man is truly skilled, and enjoys every minute of the process.

[@urbanobjects]

He is an amazing illustrator. When he draws you can see that he is working out the engineering as he goes. He carves with a simple knife. A whittling savant. And you are right, when he develops a "story" it must have a beginning middle and end then reset and do the whole sequence again. Often it is done using cams that are the program. But looking at his mechanisms just dumbfounded me. I am not an engineer but the subtlety and complexity just astounds. Then he puts it all together in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. Yes a true genius in my book.

[@RD9_Designs]

My son had to make such a machine in school... they were named after an artist who made such machines, or at least drew the schematics, but I forget the artist's name.

[@bulasturubula3660]

This man is a genius.

[@studiosandi]

I'm so glad you were able to be an artist with your life❤

[@urbanobjects]

Thank you Sandi. I'm not sure if you mean me or Paul. But either way I am honored to have had a long career and along the way have become friends with a group of similarly minded individuals who's work I love to celebrate because I personally feel connected to it. My interviews are all over the place based on what maybe I just spoke with the artist about prior to turning on the camera, to deep in the weeds analysis of a particular process to the often asked question, "how do you make a living". Thanks and check out some of my other interviews on this platform as well as Vimeo. vimeo.com/showcase/3814665

[@studiosandi]

@@urbanobjects I was drawn to your channel because of Paul. He is wonderful and you did a great job interviewing him. I look forward to more of your videos and the future. And I am super glad that you have been able to live your best creative life!💜💚🧡

[@simpleman283]

The boyscout getting dumped is classic, always be prepared for the dumping, no tears...

[@jasonsoulie1337]

Agreed. That sketch book was a real thing of beauty it reminded me of DaVinci drawings and his codex. Dude is brilliant

[@josepereirasalazarfilho2424]

Como posso começar nesta arte que me encanta desde criança por favor me dê uma resposta

[@kamikaze2613]

@@josepereirasalazarfilho2424 dibujar está todo en ti. solo tienes que ir a buscarlo. Estoy en el mismo lugar que tú y es muy desmoralizador a veces cuando veo el arte de otros asombroso en comparación con el mío. creo que eso nunca se detendrá porque obliga a los artistas a mejorar constantemente

[@Flash-Strike]

@@josepereirasalazarfilho2424 Desenhando, tendo um serrote curto quadrado, Faca de desbaste de madeira, furadeira com broca de madeira, mesmo manual serve, caneta sharpie, linha forte, dois arames um fino e um muito fino para amarrações etc. Começa fazendo uma caixa de manivela que dentro tem o coração, UM arame em dobra este vai acionar seu BRAÇO de transferencia, esse braço aciona tudo que estiver acima da caixa, como o braço de força de uma locomotiva à vapor. Ideal é separar duas horas por dia todo dia para a pratica, ou de acordo com a vontade. Boa SORTE DEUS abençoe

[@susanfarley1332]

His work is delightful! i love mechanical jokes. i also love visual puns.

[@suzanne_atkinson]

his sketchbook is amazing, i'd definitely buy a replica of that

[@kuki7500]

I want say something on my comment to this Man but only one come in to may head is Respect!

[@censusgary]

Paul Spooner’s drawings are beautiful.

[@robertblackburn752]

I worked in the DT dept in a school in Leytonstone and we would set the year 10 students a mechanical toy project. Paul Spooners work was a source of inspiration for the students when designing their toys. Some of the resulting pieces were amazing. Great fun! This guy is a legend.

[@ramonhamm3885]

I love your work! That endless sausage maker, so strange! 😁

[@michaeldoster4847]

The sausages were an udder disgrace! Lol. Amazing, amazing patience! If I tried to do something like that, there would be broken bits everywhere! What an absolutely amazing feat! Thank you for sharing this! God bless!

[@foxo4992]

‘I think that I have a very short attention-span...’ - says the man who makes these incredibly intricately calibrated wonders!

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Fantastic, love his sense of humour. I love making things and totally agree with him about doing commissions. I hate doing them as I also hate making the same thing twice. Love his work.

[@karenmusa3052]

Omg Im in heaven wstching this. ❤❤

[@attilathehamster6774]

Brilliant. I'll bet you Singer never saw their treddle becoming a scroll saw. Paul should consider releasing his sketchbooks, I'm pretty sure they'd spark an idea in someone's head. We need more like him.

[@ArielCotton]

Remember when toys were made with love? i don't. I'm 26 I grew up in the lead laced cheap China toy era. but I'd seen many documentaries and he's a rare find. I respect his love and passion. we need more people like him.

[@oriel9347]

I like to think people have been making these for millennia. A true art, with mr spooner you can see how specific the characters are to the artist.

[@urbanobjects]

His “style” is often stripped of unnecessary ornament. It’s a 3D cartoon. Question for you, did you see this video in the “suggested” videos or did you find it on a website? I shot this a while back but recently it has been getting a lot of attention.

[@wild-radio7373]

What a delightful video! :) 🤜🏻👍🤛🏻♡♡♡

[@erinhankie2338]

These are amazingly incredible works of art. How wonderful!

[@ercost60]

Absolutely perfect and marvelous. Truly fabulous work from a too-modest artist of wonderful temperament.

[@roehle9962]

What a wonderful guy!

[@isotac7789]

How I envy a man who chose this career path, instead of a sure thing.

[@Lumibear.]

Brilliant! Oh I laughed at the last one.

[@Hkarl85]

True maker and absolutely amazing style, it's looks drawn so I look it as a mechanical cartoon I would love to own one of his works

[@archerc4828]

These are beyond doubt works of art.

[@drdassler]

I love them. Thank you for creating such satisfying art. It's a very rare talent.

[@gforcefoamy]

hey my great grandmothers last name was Spooner. i have been doing this same type of work myself along time now but i invent mostly toys that use electronics, alot of remote control types. tons of fun but i cant stop. after seeing this video i think we must be related lol. i recently got a 3d printer and now my prototypes are so nice and i can make them much faster now using it. id highly recommend for you to get one also as your ideas are wonderful. keep creating! wish i could visit someday id love to see you shop in person!

[@profrat]

Thanks to you and Paul for making this splendid interview. Mr Spooner is responsible for practically every surface in my house being covered with some kind of automata made from his amazing books (plus many others which are great but haven't quite got the Spooner touch), and thus my extensive dust collection. A really inspirational man.

[@ShelliLoop]

i would love to see your collection too!!!

[@ElementofKindness]

I love how this guy's mind works!

[@marcocattaneo9974]

Was looking at the trailer for the new Pinocchio movie (from Disney) and didn't like it at all (that's a huge understatement). It pleasures me seeing that a real Geppetto does exist, and Paul's creations are truly amazing. It's good seeing someone so passionate and happy making wooden automatons. Great video, loved seeing those amazing drawings.

[@vulcanswork]

Just fantastic.

[@KJensenStudio]

Paul Spooner is a genius, but don't don't tell him, or he might get all sassy and stop making these little wonders. I may be in love with his brain, really. Thanks so much for sharing him with us!

[@urbanobjects]

He really is a National Treasure. He had a TV show in the 70’s where he explained things that were mechanical. Machinations I believe. Question for you, did you see this video in the “suggested” videos or did you find it on a website? I shot this a while back but recently it has been getting a lot of attention.

[@KJensenStudio]

@@urbanobjects it was suggested, probably because I watch a lot of Theo Jansen's Strandbeest videos, kinetics and the like. I'm glad you are getting more views. Did I subscribe yet? I don't remember, let me just go see....

[@KJensenStudio]

@@urbanobjects Why yes! Yes I did. 🙂

[@susannorman4483]

Love his work!

[@DulceN]

This is fantastic, this man has a brilliant mind. 💕

[@catclark9488]

God I love his brain!

[@alanrogs3990]

That last one is hilarious

[@notinservice1278]

This is imagination kids learn from this guy amazing work keep up the work God bless you.

[@bebobism]

Asking him about marketing was pretty funny. Obviously this man isn't even remotely interested in getting rich , look at his surroundings and the remark about the chairs. Love this guy , just doing his thing and keeping it 'real' .

[@tj84vinnie]

Amazing and beautiful love the butcher one

[@janemckay8705]

What a funny man! Cool video.

[@judyappel4652]

❤️❤️❤️ I am absolutely amazed and I look on with great wonderment.... your wonderful and a true craftsman! ❤️❤️❤️

[@schylerreis5227]

I love this!

[@susanfarley6433]

The mechanicaljokes look more like Art to me. They move , they bring a smile and they have a definite style to them.

[@urbanobjects]

I definitely consider them art.

[@JasonSuterOssum]

What ingenious and hilarious creations. The interview was fantastic, you really get to see Paul's mischievous sense of humor that he puts in the designs, thanks for sharing!

[@urbanobjects]

You're welcome. Can I ask where you first saw this video online?

[@JasonSuterOssum]

Aaron Kramer It popped up in recommended videos on the side, which is weird because I had been looking at supersized 3D printed lego, but I'm glad it did.

[@urbanobjects]

Jason Thanks for letting me know. There are several other makers from the Falmouth are that I have interviewed. Check them out.

[@JasonSuterOssum]

Thanks, I have just been watching a few of them, always inspiring to see what other makers are up to, it can trigger all sorts of ideas. Now I'm pondering doing some 3D printable automata myself... the closest I have done is my blooming flower lamp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbLk5eQiZVshqM

[@MsianFigSculptor]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

[@alanrothnie1410]

Just Magical❤❤❤

[@victoriaylibertad]

I love it! It is dorable!!

[@trulyinfamous]

This seems like the kind of stuff Adam Savage would have in his house.

[@philipmierisch6518]

Hi Paul. Not many people would recognize the recycled parts you have used in the machine at 5.37. The front panel is from a pipe organ (correct?). I know because I used to build and restore them😊. Very clever mechanisms you build😊

[@theressamurphy2996]

what a wonderful mind🎉

[@Watame100points]

Awesome works! They are So cute!

[@pheidosify]

These are kinetic sculptures.

[@izsabellenorby1490]

So cool! I love the Egyptian push up guy!

[@sixdsix5028]

He looks fantastic for 67

[@Colin399]

Love your work.

[@Engelhafen]

Great mind and great artist

[@sudarshanjuyal]

Wow.... Simply amazing....

[@michaeldoster4847]

And an awesome sense of humour!

[@urbanobjects]

Michael Doster he does. He just turned 70 yesterday.

[@aspirant5872]

A creative genius.

[@raybrown5322]

fantastic !

[@InfoWithheld]

Magnificent!

[@benjaminrosales1154]

LOVELY!!!! A TRUE ARTIST!! I HOPE HE SELLS GOOD HIS PRODUCTS!!!

[@maximalder5190]

Amazingly incredible works of art !!!

[@urbanobjects]

Question for you, did you see this video in the “suggested” videos or did you find it on a website? I shot this a while back but recently it has been getting a lot of attention.

[@leonhueramo9723]

Amazing!!

[@lauraswan8647]

Love this

[@michaelwhite8031]

Amazing !

[@rcillustrations9075]

Brilliant!

[@strukturwalzen]

Wow - that's amazing !!!! Great thanks for sharing ;O)

[@scmacsart]

Smacks of Alfred Newman.

[@ralapeit0]

Wow.. I've seen his work online but never dig his name up. What a guy!!! Amazing work and great sense of humour lol

[@urbanobjects]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ChipEstrada]

I love it!

[@MSNERVANA]

Splendid interview with an amazing artist

[@urbanobjects]

Thank you. I have done a series of interviews over the years with all kinds of makers. My favorite artists are the ones who produce Automata. They are a special breed of artist who does the mechanical and the aesthetic.

[@gixxer1114]

true craftsmanship ..very funny toys

[@piazza1129]

Awesome

[@sofhispalis]

Geppetto! Good job!

[@cipriantauciuc2931]

Its very good artist for me. I love this real and sensitive man

[@mehrdokhtsadri7207]

Your work is extremely lovely and beautiful!

[@bizmarkie9112]

I love this guy.

[@dianaherron2223]

So cool!!!!

[@adondriel]

I love the Hershey's chocolate wrapper in the background! I live an hour away from hershey, always astounding when I see someone so far away with hershey's. :D

[@jorge2654]

Splendid!

[@joshuamartin4547]

Most of my projects are "quick builds" which end up taking many hours, but I can only bring myself to start a new project if I at least TELL myself that it's just gonna be a "quick build". It helps me to get the whole process into my mind and build motivation and inspiration to build something awesome, regardless of the time taken.

[@urbanobjects]

He is an inspiration to soooo many. Keep working.

[@shahim6059]

Wonderful !

[@pierrem.martelli5173]

Merveilleux !

[@carolrivera2647]

amazing! congrats!

[@joeson7700]

These CRAFTS should be in any school CURRICULUM that Devoid student of DEADLY Habits.

[@clannyst]

A very talented man

[@Skyhook77]

merveilleux!

[@srfrg9707]

Ancient Greeks did a lot of mechanical shows like theses. Amazing.

[@imacat5995]

Wow thats awesome

[@lindamon5101]

I think im in love!

[@grbgeslnger24]

An underrated craft

[@psoup.42]

I'm I the only one that didnt figure out the jokes tied to these beautiful creations?