Thomas Bayrle's 1966 Mechanical Mao Sculpture Documented

Thomas Bayrle created a kinetic sculpture titled "Mao" in 1966. The work measures 145 by 148 by 32 centimeters and incorporates an engine within an oil-on-wood construction. A photograph of the piece was taken by Axel Schneider. Documentation of this artwork was published online on July 30, 2018, through the artcritical platform. The platform operates using WordPress software and provides content via RSS feeds. Bayrle's mechanical interpretation of Mao Zedong represents a significant early example of his interest in combining political imagery with industrial aesthetics. The sculpture's kinetic element introduces motion into a portrait of a major historical figure. This work predates many of Bayrle's later explorations of repetition and mass production in art.