User:The MAD Museum

The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum
The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum displays mechanical art, in particular Kinetic Art and Automata. Based in Stratford upon Avon, the museum first opened in March 2012 and is the only permanent exhibition of its kind in the UK.

Definitions
The MAD Museum - "MAD" stands for Mechanical Art and Design.

Kinetic Art - Is a piece of art that contains an element of motion usually power-driven by a motor, wind, light or the user. Kinetic Art comprises of a broad assortment of layered methods, designs and movements. Originally seen portrayed on canvas painting, modern day Kinetic Art is now depicted through three-dimensional figurines and sculptures. Automata - Refers to a mechanism that once set in motion can continue to operate independently. Although there is evidence that this particular type of art was used by the ancient Greeks, it really came into fashion in Paris in the 1860s. Known as "The Golden Age of Automata", this period sparked the interest of people all around the globe.

The Artwork on Display at The MAD Museum - Around 70 pieces of mechanical art from all over the world. Nearly all of the artwork is interactive and comprise of different overlapping techniques. The pieces on display are commonly described as a mixture of Wallace and Gromit, Heath Robinson and Chitty Chhitty Bang Bang. Examples of exhibits on display: marble machines, giant clapping hands, water clocks, laser lights and 3D faces.

History
The Museum was founded by Richard Simmons, a local entrepreneur. After a career in property, building and websites, he wanted to establish the museum before retirement. Kinetic Art and Automata are well respected forms of art but for the general public not so well known; Richard wanted to provide a permanent venue for exhibits to be displayed and handled by people who would otherwise not come across these particular types of art.

The museum started to come to life in late 2011 when an appropriate location presented itself on Sheep Street in the Shakespearean town of Stratford upon Avon. Richard enlisted his son Iain and nephew Mike Abbotts to head up the management and operation. On Friday 10th February 2012 the museum took delivery of its first "machine", made by the Swiss Kinetic Artist fr:Pascal Bettex. On Thursday 23rd March 2012 the museum opened for the first time to the public.

Over 60 artists from around the world exhibit at The MAD Museum, several of which have been commissioned to make pieces especially for the museum, like the MAD cart made by the Kinetic artists David William. The highly renowned author and automata collector, Anthony Horrowitz also donated an exhibit from his private collection. The MAD Museum was featured in several national publications and made Forbes Magazine’s ‘Top 10 List of Things Not to Miss in England This Year’ list. The award winning British novelist and playwright Sue Townsend, the author behind the famous Adrian Mole books, came to The MAD Museum with her husband. The Sophie Lancaster Foundation used The MAD Museum premises as the back-drop for their 2013 Steampunk Calendar. Stratford’s MP, Nadhim Zahawi visited The MAD Museum shortly after opening. BBC European News correspondent Gavin Hewitt and the comedians Joe Lycett and Lloyd Landford also visited the museum in its first year of opening.

In October 2013, eighteen months after launching this new attraction, the museum moved premises to a 3,000sq ft building a few doors down from Shakespeare’s Birthplace in the centre of Stratford upon Avon. With this larger and more accessible location, The MAD Museum thought this was an suitable time to expand to offer more diverse assortment of mechanical art.

Now in its third year of business the museum is continuing to have a steady turn-over of exhibits and expand on the art, science and engineering elements portrayed in the museum. The artwork is supported by a gift shop.

The Location
The museum is situated on Henley Street in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire. In October 2013 the museum move to this location from its original site on Sheep Street.

The museum is now located on the first floor, above Lakeland and between Toni & Guy and Pasty Presto on Henley Street. This is in the centre of Stratford upon Avon and a few yards away from Shakespeare's Birthplace. As well as a staircase, there is a lift at the museum's entrance which is available for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

General Information
Address: The MAD Museum, 4/5 Henley Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire. CV37 6PT

Opening Times: April - September 9.30am – 5.30pm October – March 10.30am – 5.00pm

Admission Prices: Adult £6.80 Concessions/ Students £5.50 Children (6- 12yrs) £4.50 Children (5yrs & under) Free Family Ticket £19.00