Carl “CJ” Zachmann is a kinetic artist, builder, and nostalgia mechanic based in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. With a background in archaeology and a lifelong fascination with gears, motion, and forgotten machines, Carl’s work sits at the crossroads of vintage industry and imaginative play.

His kinetic sculptures, made from salvaged steel and handmade gears, hum with the spirit of the past...equal parts museum artifact and mad scientist’s dream.His creations have earned recognition far beyond the workshop, with awards like the Merit Award for Metalwork at the Main Street Arts Festival in Fort Worth, the Mayor’s Innovation in Art honor at the St. Louis Art Fair, and Best Professional Collection at the Convergence Art Show in Minneapolis.

Now Carl is taking that same energy and rewiring it into a new kind of experience: a mobile pinball arcade built inside a custom utility trailer. It's a fully self-contained game room on wheels, decked out with classic machines and a swipe-to-play system that blends old-school fun with a little futuristic flair. Designed for events of all kinds,  it’s ready to roll up, plug in, and bring the joy of blinking lights and silver balls to the masses.
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Carl’s roots in Fergus Falls run deep, and every project he takes on reflects his commitment to creating spaces where people connect, play, and celebrate the analog magic of shared experience. Book the arcade, spin the reels, and let the good times roll.