Joseph O’Connell launched Creative Machines from his garage over two decades ago with a mission: Create objects and environments that encourage creativity, support social interaction, and inspire confidence. Since then, the Tucson-based design and fabrication firm has ballooned in size and scope, creating and installing over 100 public artworks for clients on seven continents.
Today, Creative Machines is famed for its interactive exhibitions, kinetic sculptures, light installations, and a commitment to community engagement. They even test their projects by having everyone from schoolchildren to retired engineers “play with the art and call out the BS” before anything leaves the studio.
We sat down with Joseph O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Creative Machines, to talk about the economics of public art, his new nonprofit playground in Tucson, and his studio’s entry in our summer exhibition, 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
Highlights From Our Conversation With Joseph O’Connell of Creative Machines
- Joseph recounts his upbringing near Thomas Edison’s historic lab in northern New Jersey, where invention, creativity, and play were part of his daily life.
- How Joseph grew Creative Machines from his garage into a multidisciplinary design and fabrication studio that tackles ambitious, large-scale projects with both playfulness and technical rigor.
- A look at Joseph’s philosophy on leadership: balancing emotions, obsession with process, and the execution of groundbreaking ideas within a multidisciplinary team.
- Joseph introduces Second Sky, his nonprofit science garden and community hub, where play, food, and intergenerational connection create meaningful shared experiences.
- Joseph explains the difference between a city with public art and one without: it’s about creating spaces where people want to linger and interact with one another.
Quoteables
- "An art piece that we make isn't really finished until people have tried it and kind of made it their own." — Joseph O'Connell [07:15]
- "A kid will call bullshit if they see something that isn't fun, or they'll walk away and just start playing with a cardboard box. And if what you make isn't as good as a cardboard box, you need to go back." — Joseph O'Connell [08:53]
- "What I like about the freedom of knowing that the team is happily able to work on concepts themselves... is I can just play with that art. That's the day I look forward to." — Joseph O'Connell [01:37:06]
- "Safety and challenge are two halves of an important human dynamic. You can't have challenge without having a certain amount of safety, and we try to do that in the artistic experiences." — Joseph O'Connell [01:42:10]
Mentions & Shoutouts
- Creative Machines: Multidisciplinary design and fabrication studio founded by inventor-artist Joseph O'Connell
- Second Sky: Nonprofit science garden, adventure playground, and social club in Southern Arizona
- CODAworx: The leading platform for the public art industry and collaborators on our summer exhibition, 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S. Noted for their economic impact studies.
- Blessing Hancock: Sculpture artist, longtime Creative Machines collaborator, past NOT REAL ART podcast guest, and featured artist in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
- George Rhoads: Kinetic sculptor whose rolling ball machines are now fabricated by Creative Machines
- Afrikaburn: Burning Man regional event in South Africa where Creative Machines debuted immersive installation “Changing Room” in May 2026
- Book Recommendation: Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie: An entertaining look at the intersection of business and creativity.
Get Involved / Discover More
- 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.: See Creative Machines’ entry, “Peaceable Kingdom,” and explore 51 other selected works online, each representing a different state, DC, and Puerto Rico.
- Donate to support Arterial, the podcast’s fiscal sponsor.
- Connect with Joseph O'Connell and his team for collaboration or internship opportunities at Creative Machines.
Contacts & Socials
- Website: https://www.creativemachines.com
- Instagram: @creativemachines
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-machines
Episode Credits
- Host: Scott “Sourdough” Power
- Guest: Joseph O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Creative Machines, featured artist in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
- Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles
- Theme Music: Ricky Peugeot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social
- Stay in the Loop: Subscribe to NOT REAL ART, and follow us on Instagram for more coverage of the 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
Photo Gallery
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. All images published with permission of Creative Machines; featured graphic: David Schwartz.