What happens when old building are renovated with newer, safer fixtures? A New England collector-turned-artist recycles them into art.

New Hampshire resident David Random has been collecting antique mechanical and architectural parts for years. He loved the shape, detail and utility of typically-ignored fixtures like heating grates, lawn fixtures and kitchen utensils. After a while, he started to notice the some of these items almost seemed like they were meant to be joined together in artistic way.

Antique newel post in original paint, matching meat grinder handles, vintage oil can, 1940s bicycle reflectors, iron hose nozzle, iron wagon wheel hub, wire whisk, antique taillight, and antique barn door pulley.

Missing the care and aesthetic that existed in many designs of the early 1900's, Random decided to combine these complementary pieces together into symbiotic works of art that would serve as an homage to the fantastical way that early designers often imagined future life on earth.

The artist with his work.

So when I design my fancy sculptures, it is with a nod to the early artists who went into space long before any scientist. It is with a flourish and sometimes a whimsical eye.  And yes, it is with a tiny, imaginary me on board, hurtling through space thinking, "Now I'm flying in style."

Chrome fire extinguisher, bicycle handle bars, chocolate fountain cascade, 1951 Lincoln hood ornament, wire whisks, vintage hair dryer, radio vacuum tubes, vintage salt shaker, Ford taillight, and smoking stand base.

In creating his pieces, Random says that welding is not an option. "Welding forces together pieces which do not naturally join. I like to use pieces that fit together as if they had been made for each other. That's why these things can take so long to create. In some cases I may wait for a year or more for the right artifact to turn up at an antique shop or flea market."

Multi-layered collage of paper handmade from recycled blue jean pulp with additions of vintage postcard and shredded bubble gum wrappers.

To see more amazing examples of Random's work with industrial artifacts, please visit www.davidrandom.com.

Top Image: Antique clock face mounted in a wooden factory pulley, Victorian ball and claw organ stool feet, Iron barn door pulley, vintage mannequin hand, and antique wooden finial.