HERMAN MAKKINK (Dutch, 1937-2013)

Rocking Machine, Gold Edition, 2021

Rocking Machine, Gold Edition, 2021
No.1 from an edition of 2 and 1 AP, from the original mould designed by Herman Makkink, numbered HMFMRM-G-2021-01, composed of gold lacquered fibreglass and acrylic, with internal kinetic steel mechanism enabling rocking motion, together with a certificate of authenticity from the Herman Makkink Estate,
76 x 35 x 45cm (30 x 13 3/4 x 17 3/4in)

In tribute to the 50th Anniversary since the release of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, the Estate of Herman Makkink has produced a small edition of 2 (with an Artist Proof) of his infamous Rocking Machine sculpture. A scale model made from Makkink's original mould, identical to the one used in the 1971 production. Instead of finished in white, this one covered in gold lacquer, together with the internal kinetic rocking mechanism, designed like the original. This edition has not been offered at auction before and this sculpture has been produced specially for the 2021 Bonhams 'Pop X Culture' sale.

Herman Makkink was a Dutch sculpture and artist who created the Rocking Machine in 1969 (as an edition of 6) which he exhibited at S.P.A.C.E complex located in London's St Katherine's Dock. A work that was discovered by Stanley Kubrick who was scouting out young artists at the time for his film. Makkink has said "We didn't want to fight the establishment so much as shock them. Pop Art was in full swing and so was the sexual revolution, so I combined a penis with a beautifully shaped female rear in fibre glass. I thought this would be really shocking. I thought I could make the object move by constructing a heavy pendulum swing inside. To my surprise I found that it made an irregular movement, so I exaggerated that by adding extra weights in various places. That resulted in Rocking Machine's specific, jerky motion." - Herman Makkink (© 2000 Drencrom V.O.F.) On seeing the scandalous phallus he worked with Makkink to use the sculpture in his film rendition of Antony Burgess book A Clockwork Orange. The sculpture was used as a weapon in one of the most appalling scenes in film history at the time, when the film's protagonist 'Alex' played by Malcolm McDowell used it to murder 'Catlady' in cold blood. This disturbing act propelled Makkink's Rocking Machine to iconic status and it remains as such. Very few original pieces of memorabilia from the film have ever been offered at auction.

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