Halfautomatische Troostmachine, Interactive sculpture in Aldenhofpark, Maastricht, Netherlands.
The Halfautomatische Troostmachine is a sculpture featuring 15 painted animal figures surrounding a mechanical woman who strokes a deceased giraffe on a central platform. Information plaques accompany each animal, offering photographs, scientific names, Dutch translations, and educational details about the species.
Michel Huisman created this work in 2001 at the site of a former bear enclosure, drawing together living and extinct animal species into a single installation. The sculpture emerged as a response to the location's past and humanity's connection to the animal world.
Fashion students from the local art academy dress and redress the mechanical woman twice yearly, turning her wardrobe changes into an evolving artistic conversation. Visitors notice how her clothing shifts with the seasons, giving the sculpture a living, changing quality.
The sculpture sits in Aldenhofpark and is freely accessible along paved walkways that make viewing all the animals straightforward. Plan time to read the information plaques and explore both the main installation and the separate bronze bear figure seated on a distant bench.
A bronze bear figure with human hands sits alone on a bench 50 meters away, positioned to face away from the main sculpture. This isolated figure creates a poignant contrast to the gathered animals, inviting visitors to consider how grief takes different forms.
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