Dr Ricktor's AMAZING Automation

Have you ever seen the movie "Big"?

Made in 1988, starring Tom Hanks. In the film there is an amusement park fortunetelling machine called "Zoltar" which grants a young boy's wish... to be Big. It's a great film if you've not seen it. 

 Anyway....

Last year concept artist Robert Lingham approached me with an unusual project. He was making his own fortunetelling automation inspired by the film's Zoltar machine. However his invention would be made of his own style and design. He called this his "Pet project" and it had no real deadline as building the machine and getting it right was key priority. What he asked me was, would I be interested in designing and illustrating the posters that would feature on the side of the masterpiece. 


"Hell's yeah!" was my response. Having previously executed my own artwork and exhibitions inspired by the "Sideshow" theme and wanting the opportunity to create more vintage looking work, this project was gold!

We collaborated together on how the poster should look, aiming for a steampunk meets art deco meets sideshow kinda image. Eventually after the artwork submission from me and some final mechanical tinkering on the machine by Lingham, "Dr Ricktor's Amazing Automation" was alive! 

To date Dr. Ricktor has made very popular appearances at the Rainbow Serpent Festival and White Night in Ballarat. 

(Photos supplied Rob Lingham. White Night in Ballarat 2017)

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