This clock stands outside the Tropical
Aviary, one of the zoo's oldest buildings. The brief was not specifically for a
clock, just a feature to attract visitors, with the theme of the Victorians'
attitude to the animal kingdom. Such a great location and such a great
theme, I knew I wanted to do it immediately.
This page has photos of the clock, if you want to read about its design and
manufacture go here
Initial drawing
Finished clock... 8 months later
(outside my workshop)
.
I hadn't thought out how the clock would work in 3D when I got the job. So
I did lots of sketches and a complete 3D CAD drawing, but making the model
was more fun and more useful.
The initial drawing was vague about the clock's scale. Much better to make
something full size.
3 minute video of the clock performing
The toucans pecking the pendulum to keep it swinging
The small birds escape from the display case and pop-up
elsewhere on the clock
The meatpan opens to reveal a trembling bird
inside
The meatpan closes and opens again but the bird has gone
The cage then opens and the blue bird escapes
The birds fly round and finally the toucans desert their posts. They
reappear at the top, squarking, and the pendulum and clock stop
running.
