Setting aside static paper models, let's delve into a category of paper models that is more dynamic and interactive, combining artistry, mechanics, and ingenuity. What interests me the most is the Automata papercraft, also known as the Karakuri papercraft. These self-operating machines are designed to perform simple or complex mechanical movements using gears, cams, and levers.
Among the vast array of automata papercraft, one of the most extensive and intricate creations was designed by Giuseppe Civitarese, also known as Pino, an Italian marine biologist and paper model designer. The central figure of this papercraft is a clown pedaling a tricycle through the sky, accompanied by an indispensable companion, a bird, and drifting clouds. This papercraft stands at an impressive 40 cm tall and consists of 171 parts, employing techniques such as three-wheel drive, levers, and axles.
What makes it particularly special is that it's freely available to the public, making it one of the most outstanding and worthwhile DIY automata papercraft projects to undertake.
Download and build your own Wandering in the Sky Automata Papercraft (by PaperPino).
Graphic: Paper Toys
Photo: Lazarus
