A large mechanical bird of stainless steel which is set in motion by man.
The interactive installation Fledging by the American artist Christian Ristow is a large mechanical bird which is set in motion by man. A person can climb into the bird by a staircase allocated in the tail of the bird, sit in its chest, and take the position of a cyclist who rides a recumbent bicycle. By peddling, the visitor starts an intricate composition of chains, sprockets, cogs and levers which open and close the wings, curving them towards the body just like real birds.
The installation has so far been exhibited at music and arts festivals throughout the USA, including Burning Man, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans and Maker Faire Bay Area.