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When
When
The Modern Automata Museum was established in 2001, but the idea for it came about back in the ‘80s, after several visits to the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in London. At the time, the theatre showcased works by Paul Spooner, Peter Markey, Keith Newstead, and other artists at its Covent Garden location. The Modern Automata Museum is managed by the Modern Automata Museum Cultural Association.
The Modern Automata Museum was established in 2001, but the idea for it came about back in the ‘80s, after several visits to the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in London. At the time, the theatre showcased works by Paul Spooner, Peter Markey, Keith Newstead, and other artists at its Covent Garden location. The Modern Automata Museum is managed by the Modern Automata Museum Cultural Association.
Where
Where
The Museum was built in Montopoli di Sabina, about 40 km north of Rome, using part of the Castelletto di Vezzano, a fortified 9th-century tower constructed by the monks of the Farfa Abbey.
The Museum was built in Montopoli di Sabina, about 40 km north of Rome, using part of the Castelletto di Vezzano, a fortified 9th-century tower constructed by the monks of the Farfa Abbey.
What to see
What to see
Traveling exhibition:
Traveling exhibition:
"The secret of movement"
"The secret of movement"
12 boxes with 45 small mechanical sculptures.
12 boxes with 45 small mechanical sculptures.
Made by artists from various countries, in paper, wood or metal.
Made by artists from various countries, in paper, wood or metal.
What to do
What to do
Automata workshops
Automata workshops
Since 2005, we’ve been designing and running automata-making workshops with kids, teachers, and artists. We realized that visiting the museum as part of a workshop is a completely different experience from a regular visit. During a workshop, participants see the museum as a treasure trove of solutions to questions that come up while building an automaton: how does an arm move, how do a head or a leg move, and so on.
Since 2005, we’ve been designing and running automata-making workshops with kids, teachers, and artists. We realized that visiting the museum as part of a workshop is a completely different experience from a regular visit. During a workshop, participants see the museum as a treasure trove of solutions to questions that come up while building an automaton: how does an arm move, how do a head or a leg move, and so on.
We’ve held workshops in other museums, art galleries, children’s hospitals, many schools, and at various festivals and cultural institutions. These include the Mantua Literature Festival, the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, the Carpi Game Festival, the Festival of Exceptions in Casperia, the Montessori School in Istanbul, and a school for immigrants in Bremen.
We’ve held workshops in other museums, art galleries, children’s hospitals, many schools, and at various festivals and cultural institutions. These include the Mantua Literature Festival, the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, the Carpi Game Festival, the Festival of Exceptions in Casperia, the Montessori School in Istanbul, and a school for immigrants in Bremen.
How to build an automata
How to build an automata
In 2013, the European Commission funded our automata-building course project, developed in collaboration with Italian and European partners. As part of the European Clohe Project, we ran courses for teachers in Germany, Portugal, Turkey, and Italy. During this initiative, we created a website and a book, which you can access through the "How to Build" section in the table of contents.
In 2013, the European Commission funded our automata-building course project, developed in collaboration with Italian and European partners. As part of the European Clohe Project, we ran courses for teachers in Germany, Portugal, Turkey, and Italy. During this initiative, we created a website and a book, which you can access through the "How to Build" section in the table of contents.
Books
Books
"Automi"
"Automi"
In the meantime, the Lazio Region funded the publication of a book entirely dedicated to the history of automata and our work. The result is Automi, which narrates their history from the 3rd century BCE to the present day. It features previously unpublished translations of some works by Heron of Alexandria and highlights the discovery of what appears to be the first digital mechanism in history.
In the meantime, the Lazio Region funded the publication of a book entirely dedicated to the history of automata and our work. The result is Automi, which narrates their history from the 3rd century BCE to the present day. It features previously unpublished translations of some works by Heron of Alexandria and highlights the discovery of what appears to be the first digital mechanism in history.
Who built the Museum
Who built the Museum
Aldo Passerotti
Marina Gigli
Mario Bartiromo
Guido Accascina
The work to create the museum took place between June and October 2001, carried out by Aldo Passerotti, Mario Bartiromo, Marina Gigli, Michelle Delire, Giuseppina Bartolini, and Guido Accascina. One team focused on the hardware aspects, while a second group worked on the automata and their motorization.
The work to create the museum took place between June and October 2001, carried out by Aldo Passerotti, Mario Bartiromo, Marina Gigli, Michelle Delire, Giuseppina Bartolini, and Guido Accascina. One team focused on the hardware aspects, while a second group worked on the automata and their motorization.
Artists
Artists
Since 2001, the Museum has hosted automata by
Since 2001, the Museum has hosted automata by
Traveling Exhibitions:
Traveling Exhibitions:
From 2001 to 2020: "Against the Idea of War"
From 2001 to 2020: "Against the Idea of War"
After September 11, 2001, we invited the artists we collaborate with to create a traveling exhibition titled Against the Idea of War. By early 2002, sixteen automata from various parts of the world had arrived at the museum. The exhibition was displayed in several institutional venues across Italy and Europe. One visitor from Germany wrote to us, saying, "I’ve finally found a way to talk about war with my son."
After September 11, 2001, we invited the artists we collaborate with to create a traveling exhibition titled Against the Idea of War. By early 2002, sixteen automata from various parts of the world had arrived at the museum. The exhibition was displayed in several institutional venues across Italy and Europe. One visitor from Germany wrote to us, saying, "I’ve finally found a way to talk about war with my son."
see the page
Traveling Exhibitions:
Traveling Exhibitions:
From 2010 to 2020: "Circus"
From 2010 to 2020: "Circus"
The museum produced Circus, featuring twelve automata for the world's smallest circus, created by Paul Spooner, Keith Newstead, Neil Hardy, Alessandra Celletti, Marina Gigli, Sonia Fabbrocino, Girovago & Rondella, Peter Lennertz, and Malcolm Brook.
The museum produced Circus, featuring twelve automata for the world's smallest circus, created by Paul Spooner, Keith Newstead, Neil Hardy, Alessandra Celletti, Marina Gigli, Sonia Fabbrocino, Girovago & Rondella, Peter Lennertz, and Malcolm Brook.
see the page
Institutional Recognition
Over the years, the museum has been part of the Regional Museum Organization (OMR) of the Lazio Region and began collaborating with other Regional Museum institutions. During the same period, the Italian Ministry of Culture recognized the museum as one of the "Places of Italian Culture". The Lazio Region also awarded us recognition for "Best Museum Practices" (2012 and 2023) and for "Good Museum Management" (2010).
Over the years, the museum has been part of the Regional Museum Organization (OMR) of the Lazio Region and began collaborating with other Regional Museum institutions. During the same period, the Italian Ministry of Culture recognized the museum as one of the "Places of Italian Culture". The Lazio Region also awarded us recognition for "Best Museum Practices" (2012 and 2023) and for "Good Museum Management" (2010).
see the page
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