A small mechanical study built around a deceptively simple action.

With each turn of the handle, the pelican lifts its beak — but not as you might expect. Both the upper and lower parts move upward, each at a different pace, creating a motion that feels unusual, slightly puzzling, and quietly compelling.

This piece began as a question: how to achieve that movement in a way that felt natural. The solution took time to emerge, evolving through a long process of thinking, testing, and refinement before finally settling into its current form.

For the first time, the sides of the piece are made from light blue acrylic, suggesting water and giving the automaton a sense of place.

The back panel is engraved with fish, continuing that illusion and adding a subtle layer of detail behind the movement.

The pelican itself is carved from lime wood, mounted on a thin birch ply frame, and finished with gesso, acrylic paint, and a combination of gloss and dead-flat lacquer to bring out contrast and texture.

Height 5 inches