Dreams By Machine

Re-purposed and Functional Art

• Opulent Mobility

  

  the SteamWalker/ Le Flaneur

  “We are all buried treasure. Let our overlooked and unused remnants shine.”

  Opulent Mobility is an attempt to re-create disability devices so they and their users can inspire admiration, desire and even envy. I love bringing out discarded items and materials and making them the center of attention. Zipper teeth become lace edgings, ball bearings act as pendants and centerpieces, remnant snap tape becomes footlights and old tablecloths are reborn into upholstered cushions and deconstructed finery.

  Old electric wheelchairs or thrift store walkers are buried treasure to be discovered, renewed and re-formed. By using them, the drivers and walkers can tap into childhood dreams of becoming heroines, kings, stars and supervillains. If my works are steampunk, they are in the mad scientist mode: reconfiguring ordinary objects in hopes of making them extraordinary.

  Le Flaneur is the second in the series from my  designs for Opulent Mobility, the first being Driven- The Edwardian Cyborg Wheelchair.

  To see Driven, the Edwardian Cyborg Wheelchair, go here:

  http://www.dreamsbymachine.com/opulent-mobility/driven-edwardian-cyborg-wheelchair/

  

  The SteamWalker in Full

  Le Flaneur began life as 2 thrift store aluminum walkers, maple plywood from a home refinishing project, scrap leather from The Sword and the Stone, salvaged hardware, a thrift store chafing dish and platter holder, several re-purposed draperies, a Little Tokyo paper parasol, cow horns, a gifted faux rose and a GPS unit and compass found online. The battery is rechargeable (the charger is built into the seat bottom) and the GPS unit is set to “walking” mode.

  Le Flaneur is now back from the Charles River Museum of Innovation and Invention’s Steampunk Form and Function exhibit.

  [View with PicLens]