Case studies
I have decided that small is the new big. At least as far as I’m concerned for the next little while. For years now I have had the idea rattling around in my head that I would build a series of little mechanical collages. I have a vast collection of old magazines and related ephemera, and a similarly large collection of old equipment cases, cigar boxes, radio cabinets etc. The recent completion of my Under the Sea piece has given me the confidence to finally put this project into action. My intention is to stay with this project until I significantly reduce the size of my inventory of supplies. With any luck an interesting new series will emerge. I have a few early projects to share at this stage.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The above images show the inner workings of the first piece. The lady on the rocket is attached to a tiny mechanism that produces a sort of galloping motion. Some white LEDs provide illumination and an overhead projector lens distorts the whole thing just enough to make the scene appear a bit unreal, like a hologram.
Below is my second attempt. This piece is quite small and presented some real challenges getting everything to fit inside the timer case that I had chosen. The central figure slowly raises and lowers his beaker. When at its lowest point, a green LED comes on giving the appearance of a chemical reaction in his flask.
This one may be for the private archives. The caption in the photo says “I was curious”. If the viewer is curious enough to pick the piece up, a switch is activated and the.....er.....”eyes” begin to flash with red LED’s.
