Showing posts with label Leonardo da Vinci. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leonardo da Vinci. Show all posts

Friday, August 13, 2010

Bonjour, Monsieur Poulet!

Mr Chicken closeup on the Eiffel Tower

Mr Chicken on the Eiffel TowerwhiteMr Chicken's ascent

Leigh Hobbs' infamous Monsieur Poulet, of "Mr Chicken goes to Paris", climbs the Eiffel Tower and then (below, in my version of the story) seemingly meets an appreciative, time-travelling artist. (I'm actually working on a book trailer for this CBCA Awards nominated picture book. I hope. I have to produce something exciting for Tristan Bancks' final class on Monday night.)

Mr Chicken meets Leonardo

Monsieur Poulet was crafted from yellow, black and white FIMO Soft oven-hardening modelling material. Background artwork is from "Mr Chicken goes to Paris" by Leigh Hobbs (Allen & Unwin, 2009).

Mr Chicken and the Mona Lisa

I bought my copy of "Mr Chicken goes to Paris" the day it came out. It was one of those books you just couldn't leave behind in the shop. Earlier this year, when the CBCA shortlist came out, I grabbed a copy for school. At first, I thought I'd have to forfeit mine. Mai non!

Mr Chicken in Paris
By the way, the French chair (above) is an actual miniature prop
from the 2001 Australian movie, "Moulin Rouge!"


"Mr Chicken goes to Paris" cover

I must explain, too: I was reading "Mr Chicken goes to Paris" today to a group of K-2 students, one of who just *could not* cope with me calling the main character "Mr Chicken" - especially since we read "Kip" (about a rooster) and "Bear & Chook by the sea" yesterday. Every page, the poor kid kept putting his hands over his ears and yelling, "There. Are. No. Chickens. In. That. Book!"

His young colleagues were telling me, "We all have to just ignore him." We kept reading, but I had to avoid saying those magic words, "Mr Chicken", hence the main character was "Monsieur Poulet" throughout!

UPDATE: Okay, I think I've just managed to upload my book trailer as a VIDEO PODCAST! Music: "Parks On Fire (California Burning Mix)" by DJ Rkod (feat. Trifonic). http://ccmixter.org/files/DJ_Rkod/14745 is licensed under a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/nc-sampling+/1.0/.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Da Vinci Secrets: Anatomy to Robots

Vitruvian Andorian
"The Vitruvian Andorian"

Today, I went to an exhibition called "Da Vinci Secrets: Anatomy to Robots", a fascinating set of three-dimensional attempts to realise, using materials available in Leonardo da Vinci's time, some of Da Vinci's amazing drawings and designs.

DaVinci's wooden robot
Early Data prototype?

Of course, da Vinci has connections to at least two "Star Trek" series. Immortal Mr Flint, in "Requiem for Methuselah", met Kirk and Spock and claimed to be Leonardo da Vinci, among many other creative historical figures, and Captain Janeway (in "Star Trek: Voyager") spent many hours relaxing with a holographic da Vinci in a recreation of his workshop.

Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo always knew where his towel was.

Note the beginner's kickboard he invented to the left. I guess his Floaties are under his robes?