By ASHOK SOMAN

Laikingland, creators of kinetic objets d’art such as the eternally tapping hand by Nik Ramage that you see here, is a company built on the lifelong friendship between artist Martin Smith and engineer Nick Regan. Based out the UK and The Netherlands, Laikingland is dedicated to creating wonderfully idiosyncratic sculptures, as you can see.

Needless to say, we were properly stunned when we first saw the Applause Machine (created by Smith, guess which one it is) and we will probably have to have one. Briefly, the Applause Machine claps its hands with the push of a button, meaning you’ll always have an appreciative audience.

You might think that only the lonely might need such a thing but you’d be wrong. Max Busser of MB&F, one of the most charismatic gentlemen in the luxury watch industry is himself the proud owner of an Applause Machine.

“I discovered the Applause Machine on a blog and immediately fell for the idea and the concept. It is a whimsical kinetic sculpture filled with irony but that at the same time makes everyone smile. Mine sits on a piece of furniture next to my desk and I use it to remind me to laugh when situations get tight. The Laikingland (creators) have a wonderful free spirit that they convey in everything they do,” Busser told us.
 
This is what Laikingland has to say on the subject, from their own website: “Laik actually means to play, Laikingland is built around the notion of encouraging playfulness.  Complimentary to this, our work represents our interest in narrative, humor and craftsmanship.  Our hope is that creating designs around these themes will encourage everyday playfulness in the lives of our customers.”

Laikingland