Maker Faires are a celebration of technology and the making of things--musical instruments, solar-powered cars, robots, time machines and other fanciful and bizarre creations made by the inventors and creative geniuses among us.
On September 21 and 22, the World Maker Faire is coming to the New York Hall of Science in Queens, N.Y.
Think Burning Man Festival, but less artsy and more steampunk. Think "The World's Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth." Think of robots, of all conceivable shapes and sizes, roaming the grounds and mingling with the crowd.
But it's not just about showing.
Makers at the forefront of electronic technology will invite audience members to make their own electronic musical instruments out of old toys, or create audio speakers out of potato chips (just two of the workshops being offered at this year's Faire).
Ingenious uses for what other people consider junk are a specialty of this festival. Many exhibits focus on musical instruments that can be made from the stuff.
Consider "Kinetic Ontology: Sound Assemblages," in which musician Eric Farber juxtaposes "relics of old industry" (in other words, junk) to build sonic and performative sculpture. He transforms a forgotten flywheel into a giant music box, and uses a Victorian sewing machine treadle to play a melody on Art Deco film reels.
And then there is "Batterie-en-Valise," music for two percussionists and five suitcases. Part found-object sound sculpture, part new music performance and part interactive conversation about human relationships with objects, this performance is sure to astound and confound.
A complete list of the musical performances and exhibits at the Faire is available HERE.
For information about tickets and a complete schedule of the Faire's more than 650 makers, exhibits and performances, visit: https://makerfaire.com.
