Die Reibenkunstmaschineaktion

[ltmurnau]

I got the machine back from the gallery yesterday and set it up in my office, to trap the unwary (though more and more people are learning that it is a Bad Idea to go into my little corner of the office without some very well-defined and short-term request, and that they must not get distracted by anything they may see or hear while there).

Here is a brief video of the machine in action, demonstrated by my co-worker Nadine.

Comments

New Zealand

[(Anonymous)]

The video was all black.

Re: New Zealand

[ltmurnau.livejournal.com]

It works for me. Take your sunglasses off.
Are you using a recent version of Windows Media Player?

[ilna.livejournal.com]

The video works.. i don't see how the machine does, though :/ it looks like there was some tiny bee-creature hanging form above, and it circling above the card ?

Although i'm sure it does something more, no ?

[ltmurnau.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess you had to be there. It's a very simple machine made of a camera tripod, a battery-powered "Shiatsu massager", and some assorted odds and ends.

The bottom of the motorized massager unit goes around and around, and to that I attached some bent bicycle spokes that hold little finger-and-thumb like clamps that in turn hold either a marker pen or (as pictured) an "automatic tongue" (envelope flap moistener) filled with an alcohol and water solution. This turns around and around on top of a small drawing on a card - I made a few different ones but mostly they are rubbings of block prints I've made, using a combination of graphite and water-soluble pencil and crayon. The tongue thingy smears and alters the crayon part of the drawing but the graphite is not affected. Meanwhile, to move the card around, there are two Spirograph wheels you cannot see clearly that mesh (usually) and keep the card turning semi-randomly too. Using a marker will obscure parts of the drawing and add other random squiggles, circles and blots.

Hm! Now that I explain it, it doesn't seem that interesting anymore. But this was my first try at kinetic sculpture and it sort of works. It did get quite a bit of interest (got me a free beer, too!).

[ilna.livejournal.com]

Oh, get it :) i read the mention of it "destroying" cards and the beer you got from it in one of your former posts, but i could not see how it would work. Suppose i was expecting blades or something.. And it sounds like a neat device, indeed.. spirograph was my childhood totem, you know, i thought it had fallen into oblivion :)

[ltmurnau.livejournal.com]

Well, I started out with all different sorts of ideas - the very first one was that of a grinding stone or sanding block that would deface and abrade one of my printing blocks or eraser carvings. But the motor was not strong enough for that. I did experiment with a windmill of whirring scalpel blades to chop up cards, but they kept flying off and there were children present...I was persuaded to desist there.

Spirograph has indeed fallen into oblivion, you will note that sales of Spirograph and rates of juvenile delinquency have respectively fallen and risen! There's a definite connection, I am sure of it! Many kids and young people at the gallery had never seen a Spirograph wheel.

I shoudl have noted that all the materials came from detritus, more or less:

camera tripod $5, thrift store
massager $3, thrift store
Spirograph bits $0 (gift from friend)
automatic tongue $2, stationery store

All amounts in Canadian funds. All other bits (bicycle spokes, scrap lumber for base, aquarelle crayons and pencils, cards, alcohol solution) were either free or already lying around the house.

I like small and I like cheap.

[ilna.livejournal.com]

I think it's a very elegant way you chose - the maximum effect (images being destroyed, and selectively at that) with the minimal mechanicla input (limited by the engine power) :)

And i checked for spirograph in the meantime - actually it's even on sale on amazon, but everyoen's moaning at how it's not as good as it was in the good ol' days :/

Damn.

[ltmurnau.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I am glad that you like it! I don't know if I will do more along these lines, this Carnival of Destruction was just a one-off event. There might be other chances in future.

If you really want to experience the joy of Spirograph all over again, I can send you some assorted wheels and rings to keep you busy for a little while.

[ilna.livejournal.com]

That's a very sweet offer :) ...but your future scultptures will need them, and i do not need any more reasons to moan for the lack of time..

Thank you very much anyhow :)