By Sarah Currier on June 15, 2024

By turning a wheel, his animals—and an occasional human—spin, dance, wave, and much more.

Uniquely inventive, kinetic art instills otherwise stationary pieces with fluid movement. Italian artist Amedeo Capelli specializes in this style, carving dynamic pieces of art out of wood that feature a colorful cast of characters. Capelli’s work is whimsical, wholesome, and wildly detailed, as the artist uses a complex set of wooden gears and turntables to get his creations moving.

The focus of many of Capelli’s creations, or, as he calls them, automatas, are animals. From a dancing shrimp band to a flying dragon and everything in between, all of his creatures are full of personality, often sporting bright colors, big eyes, and adorable expressions. Some of his work also features passive motion, such as hair blowing and capes flapping in the wind.

Due to the delicate nature of his art, many of Capelli’s kinetic sculptures are miniature, often smaller than a human hand. This is largely due to the gear system that has to be built beneath all of his platforms. By turning a wheel, his animals—and an occasional human—spin, dance, wave, and much more, thanks to the thin wires that attach to their bodies to the gears.[…]

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