Halfautomatische Troostmachine, Interactive sculpture in Aldenhofpark, Maastricht, Netherlands.
The sculpture features 15 figures of painted animals and a mechanical young woman stroking a deceased giraffe on a central platform.
Michel Huisman created this memorial sculpture in 2001 to represent both living and extinct animal species in the former bear pit location.
Fashion students from Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts design and change the mechanical woman's clothing twice per year as part of local traditions.
The sculpture includes information plaques for each animal, displaying photographs, Latin names, Dutch names, and educational descriptions for visitors.
A bronze bear figure with human hands sits alone on a bench 50 meters from the main installation, facing away from the central display.
Location: Maastricht
Inception: 2001
Creator: Michel Huisman
GPS coordinates: 50.84361,5.68444
Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:11
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