Modern Automata Museum, Mechanical toy museum in Montopoli di Sabina, Italy.
The Modern Automata Museum houses around 300 mechanical sculptures made from paper, wood, and metal that visitors can set in motion by turning handles. The works operate according to mechanical principles and come in different styles and sizes.
The museum is housed in a fortified building from the 9th century that originally served as an outpost of Farfa Abbey. It gained official recognition from the Lazio Regional Museum organization in 2001.
Artists from around the world have contributed works that show how the craft of mechanical figure-making is practiced globally. The collection reflects the international exchange of creative ideas across different continents.
The museum offers guided tours and workshops where visitors can learn mechanical principles and activate some pieces themselves. It is worth taking time to explore the interactive displays at a leisurely pace.
The collection includes notable works like 'Turkish Soup' by Paul Spooner, which depicts everyday scenes through mechanical means. Many pieces were built from recycled materials, showing how creativity can emerge from found objects.
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