Jim Whiting came to fame for the dancing legs and robotics in Herbie Hancock’s Rockit music video in 1983, directed by Godley & Creme. It won the first MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction. From the proceeds he set about making his own show, which these photographs detail to some extent.

Illustrated here are a variety of shows including Unnatural Bodies in Broadgate and Berlin, Deus ex Machina in Wapping Pump House and Take Off in Clapton. The thing you can’t see or feel here is the clanking noise and visceral danger. All these crazy constructions are moving, usually powered by compressed air which is hissing and pumping around nearly at random. The movement can be violent and unexpected, so do do not treat Jim’s constructions as pets, they may bite!

There is an old video version of these pictures here and a panoramic tour of his amazing club in Leipzig, Bimbotown.