French composer and multi-instrumentalist Pierre Bastien first worked with the bands/collectives Operation Rhino, Nu Creative Methods and Effectifs de Profil, as well as The Dominique Bagouet Dance Company. Around 1986 he started performing with Pascal Comelade's Bel Canto Orquesta. At the same time he created – well, literally built – his own Mecanium orchestra: an ensemble of musical automatons constructed from meccano parts and activated by electro-motors to play acoustic instruments from all over the world.

In the 90s the mechanical orchestra incorporated up to 80 elements. It took part in music festivals and art exhibitions in Norway, Australia, Japan, Canada, Poland and the US.

In recent years, Bastien and his machines have collaborated with video artist Pierrick Sorin and fashion designer Issey Miyake, as well as musicians and singers like Robert Wyatt, Alexei Aigi, Steve Arguelles and Phonophani. His music has been released by Western Vinyl, Rephlex, Morphine, Discrepant and Marionette.