From an automaton bird cage, an art deco clock, toy robots, and tuning forks to steams engines, Sounding the Collection is a sonic archive from the Powerhouse that brings objects sitting silent in the collection to audition. 

This project invites artistic interpretation and collaboration into the archive — so they may find their way into sonic identities, movie soundtracks, foley, pop songs, and sound installations.

Creative Commons
Non-commercial with Attribution and Attribution Share-Alike licenses are used in our Collection. Both require attribution and have limited restrictions. Attribution should be given as Powerhouse. Full license details are available from Creative Commons.

Sounding the Collection

111438_AUTOMATONTHELAWYERGOWNUP_PROCESSED_20220211_r1
Object No. H6858
https://collection.maas.museum/object/246791

French musical automaton, 'L'Avocat' (The Lawyer) (gown up)

111413_AUTOMATONBONTEMS_PROCESSED_20220211_r1
Object No. H5043
https://collection.maas.museum/object/241685

French musical automaton by Bontems family

342304_AUTOMATONBIRDINCAGESINGING_PROCESSED_20220211_r2
Object no.: H5206
https://collection.maas.museum/object/242473

Musical automaton of bird in cage (singing)

342304_AUTOMATONBIRDINCAGESINGING_PROCESSED_20220211_r1
Object no.: H5206
https://collection.maas.museum/object/242473

342304_AUTOMATONBIRDCAGEMECHANICAL_PROCESSED_20220211_r1
Object No. H5206
https://collection.maas.museum/object/242473

Musical automaton of bird in cage

Object No. H5793
collection.maas.museum/object/244433

Merry-go-round Wurlitzer (woodwinds, engine perspective)

Located in Sydney, Powerhouse Museum is the largest museum group in Australia. It sits at the intersection of the arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. It is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance, and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia.