Kempelen's Owls Side Quest

A Whimsical Encounter with Robotic Art

Kempelen's Owls is a captivating public art installation in Austin, Texas, that merges the wonder of nature with the ingenuity of mechanical art. Standing ten feet tall, these two majestic Great Horned Owls are not mere statues; they are interactive sculptures designed to spark curiosity and delight. Inspired by the 18th-century automaton designs of Wolfgang Von Kempelen, the owls are crafted from layered metal and composite materials, meticulously detailed using 3D scans of actual specimens from the University of Texas' Texas Memorial Museum.

Interactive Discovery

The true magic of Kempelen's Owls lies in their hidden interactivity. Beneath each owl, a discreet bench conceals a rotating mechanism. Visitors can activate this mechanism, causing the owl's head to spin a full 360 degrees, bringing the stoic creatures to life. This playful interaction, combined with the owls' watchful gaze from atop dodecahedrons, creates a unique and engaging experience for all ages.

Open-Source Innovation

Beyond its artistic merit, Kempelen's Owls is notable for its commitment to transparency. It stands as Austin's first fully open-sourced permanent public artwork, with all design concepts, fabrication methods, and contracts made available to the public under a Creative Commons license. This dedication to sharing knowledge underscores the project's role in fostering innovation and the creative economy.