Weekend of Wonder: The incredible animatronic sculptures of Thomas Kuntz

Thomas Kuntz combines his talents as a figure sculptor, painter, designer, engineer, machinist, and automata maker to construct fantastic animatronic mechanisms that recreate scenes from the best nightmares you’ve ever had. Jason and I had the opportunity to see Thomas and his work in person at Beyond Brookledge earlier this year, and we were blown away by the beauty and complexity of his work. We are thrilled to announce that Thomas is coming to Weekend of Wonder and his animatronic sculptures will be on display there. We are all in for a real treat!

Register here to join us at Boing Boing’s Weekend of Wonder.

Below, a few videos from Thomas’s Instagram account.

Automaton :"Fakir" 2010 (Sold Out edition) This hand -cranked automaton had a built in mechanical sound maker attached to the machined brass cams and levers which give the figure its sequencing and motion. See the full trick video on my Haxanthrobo channel on YouTube thomaskuntzsculptor #fakir #mountebank #magictrick #magicautomaton #magicianautomaton #haxanthrobo #artomicstudio #automatonmaker #cupsandballs #regurgitator

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Aug 9, 2015 at 1:28am PDT

My mechanical animation sculpture "Levitating head experiment" is on static display at the Oceanside Museum of Art as part of" The Carnival of Astounding Art" this invention is the work of #thomaskuntzsculptor #haxanthrobo #artomicstudio #camsandlevers #carnivalofastoundingart #somnambuland #oceansidemuseum #thomaskuntzmachinist #machinist #magic #oceansidemuseum #horology #magic #automatonmaker #lessutomates #automaten #babytattoobooks #horology #clockwork

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Aug 25, 2015 at 2:12am PDT

Alchemyst's Clocktower FIRE!: A behind the scenes test shot in preparation for the Carnival of Astounding Art show at the Oceanside Museum. In the museum no pyrotechnics are allowed but this machine has it built in with lots of other surprises if called upon! It was originally built for my Spiritroom a twin was made for a Client back in 2008. The Tower , four years in the making is currently on static display at the Oceanside Museum…. But will come alive at announced events and special occasions such as the upcoming Art after Dark show in October! Thanks to all who attended the opening night, you made my heart full and I hope you had fun. #oceansidemuseum #carnivalofastoundingart #thomaskuntzsculptor #automatonmaker #haxanthrobo #haxanthrobotics #alchemystsclocktower #pyrotecnics

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Aug 25, 2015 at 12:04am PDT

Head Trophies: I made these sub-miniature head trophies based on real museum examples about 15 years ago …Jivaro shrunken heads and a Peruvian head trophy sculpted after the Lima Museum's artifact. This line will be expanded in the future to include other samples of human head trophies… Music: Les Baxter- the soul of drums #shrunkenheads #Jivaro #tribal #savage #primitive #jungle #sideshow #dimemuseum #limamuseum #ripleysbelieveitornot #lesbaxter #soulofthedrums #tiki #rockabilly #ritual #cabinetofcuriosities #oddities

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Aug 17, 2015 at 1:17am PDT

Prototype : In Progress "Eyefore" automaton magician sculpted and mechanized by #thomaskuntzartdotcom .This automaton and it's mechanical innards will be on display this month starting aug 22 at the Oceanside Museum of Art as part of the BabyTattoo Books "Carnival of Astounding Art"#carnivalofastoundingart #babytattoobooks #devilmagician #thomaskuntzsculptor #mechanicalanimation #automaton #automatonmaker #Automata #machinist#horology music#psychotictanks #magicianautomaton #oceansidemuseum

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Aug 2, 2015 at 5:44pm PDT

"Topsy Curvy" automaton. This piece was designed to be mechanically simple and elegant. The highest compliment came from pin up master Olivia who posted video of Topsy cranking away in the Catacombs of the Mission Inn at Beyond Brookledge. Olivia's art is incredible... An honor indeed! #thomaskuntzsculptor #automaton #automatonmaker #Haxanthrobo #pinup #vintagepinup #glamour #macabre #topsyturvy's

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Jul 16, 2015 at 2:40pm PDT

"The Last Prussian Conjuror" with his rat assistant "Otto" a limited edition magician automaton performing a classic , albeit bizarre magic trick! Copyright Thomas Kuntz: Instagram quickie edit, ( the full show is about 47 seconds) see full version on the Haxanthrobo channel YouTube ...this complex clockwork,cams and lever driven automaton is scratch built, made up of custom machined cams , levers, springs , etc,figure designed ,sculpted , engineered ,machined , painted by #thomaskuntzculptor#haxanthrobo #horology #artomicstudio #magicautomaton #magicianautomaton #prussian #ww1#trenchwarfare #automaton #automates #automaten #beyondbrookledge #somnambuland #machinist #imagineer #surrealist #dada

A video posted by Thomas Kuntz (@haxanthrobo) on Apr 13, 2015 at 1:19am PDT