Introduction
You have arrived at the web site for artist Rod Dickinson's project to reconstruct a little known mind control machine from the 18th century. The machine was drawn and described in great detail by one time spy and tea broker James Tilly Matthews in 1810.
Matthew's drawings and writings of this fantastical delusion were made while he was incarcerated in Bedlam / Bethlem hsopital.
The reconstruction, 10m x 10m x 6m is made from oak, brass, leather and includes an audio tour. The audio tour app is available on Google Play and here on this web site.
Past Exhibitions
The Air Loom was most recently on display at Bethlem Museum of The Mind during 2016.
Images
Images of The Air Loom installed and James Tilly Matthews' original drawing and plan for the machine (circa 1810).
Resources
Books, articles and other resources about James Tilly Matthews and his extraordinary vision of the Air Loom
On Mind Control
A text about the ongoing contemporary relevance of Matthews' delusion and the persistent myth of mind control