Sparklz Wind-Up Gear Box Toy

Psst! Don’t say anything, but Sparklz the Wind Up Gear Box Toy thinks he is as powerful as a god of lightning. Though he manages to generate some excellent sparks, thunder and rain have yet to be mastered. Wind the big, non-removable key to animate Sparklz the Wind Up Gear Box Toy. As Sparklz aimlessly wobbles around, a turning cog strikes graphite paper causing sparks to fly and spirits to soar. A clever example of kinetic design, this wind up toy is the creation of Brazilian designer Chico Bicalho. Phthalate-free vinyl, stainless steel. Keep away from flammable liquids and vapors. Colors will vary. Ages 12 and up.  3.5"h x 3.25"l. x 2.5"w.

Museum Provenance

The word design indicates a conception of the mind, or a drawing or sketch showing the details of how something is to be made. Contemporary design reflects styles and techniques developed since the 1940s. The use of synthetics, high-tech abstraction, design for shock value, and a diversity of design ideas rather than a single style characterize contemporary design. The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has an artist-in-residence program that allows young visitors to connect with creativity in practice. This toy is a wind up gear box toy is a fun and practical illustration of the design standards represented in the museum’s collection.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.