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Francois Junod
I can hear you
asking "What is an Automate and who is Francois Junod?" An automate is
a
combination of art, sculpture, and mechanics used to create articulated,
moving
models resembling life and fantasy in all its forms. As for Francois Junod,
let's just say that anyone who has ever experienced his art, and it’s truly
an “experience,” considers him to be one of the world’s finest creators of
Automate. I first met Francois
a few years ago when my friend Stewart Lesemann took a job with Vianney Halter
in St. Croix Switzerland and rented an apartment adjacent to Junod's
ateliers. Staring out the windows of Stewart’s apartment into Francois’
atelier, it wasn't long until I had my camera in hand and was standing at
the door. Walking through the door I felt like Alice falling in the rabbit
hole into a surreal world of fantasy mixed with just enough reality
to challenge every aspect of my sanity. And so, over the
past few years I’ve quietly slipped into the wonderland of the Junod
ateliers trying to record the ever-changing landscape that has captured my
imagination. This documentary isn’t technical but rather a photo-essay for
the mind’s eye. I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves and keep my
commentary to a minimum. Many of the images
below can be clicked to view larger versions. Enter at your own
risk, and be prepared for anything…
Francois and Sabine doing a bit of
brain surgery
One of my favorites, in two modes.
The Birds...
Crash landing
Some of Francois’ tower clock movements.
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