Wavefunction
Subsculpture 9
“Wavefunction” (Subsculpture 9) is a kinetic sculpture comprised of fifty to one hundred Charles and Ray Eames moulded chairs (designed in 1948) and placed in a regular array of rows, facing the entrance to the exhibition space. When someone approaches the work, a computerized surveillance system detects their presence and the closest chairs automatically begin to lift off the ground, creating the crest of a wave that then spreads over the whole room. A system of electromechanical pistons raises each chair forty centimetres from the ground. The pistons are controlled by a computer that runs the mathematics of fluid dynamics, thus making the waves interfere with each other, creating turbulence or becoming calm, just like real water.
The idea of a 'function' as a field for artistic experimentation is a motivation for this piece. Other references include: the mathematics of dynamic systems, capable of generating complex non-linear, behaviours, the materialization of surveillance and turbulence and the anti-modular reinterpretation of the work of modern designers such as Charles and Ray Eames.ibition space. When someone approaches the work, a computerized surveillance system detects their presence and the closest chairs automatically begin to lift off the ground, creating the crest of a wave that then spreads over the whole room. A system of electromechanical pistons raises each chair forty centimetres from the ground. The pistons are controlled by a computer that runs the mathematics of fluid dynamics, thus making the waves interfere with each other, creating turbulence or becoming calm, just like real water.
The idea of a 'function' as a field for artistic experimentation is a motivation for this piece. Other references include: the mathematics of dynamic systems, capable of generating complex non-linear, behaviours, the materialization of surveillance and turbulence and the anti-modular reinterpretation of the work of modern designers such as Charles and Ray Eames.
The idea of a 'function' as a field for artistic experimentation is a motivation for this piece. Other references include: the mathematics of dynamic systems, capable of generating complex non-linear, behaviours, the materialization of surveillance and turbulence and the anti-modular reinterpretation of the work of modern designers such as Charles and Ray Eames.ibition space. When someone approaches the work, a computerized surveillance system detects their presence and the closest chairs automatically begin to lift off the ground, creating the crest of a wave that then spreads over the whole room. A system of electromechanical pistons raises each chair forty centimetres from the ground. The pistons are controlled by a computer that runs the mathematics of fluid dynamics, thus making the waves interfere with each other, creating turbulence or becoming calm, just like real water.
The idea of a 'function' as a field for artistic experimentation is a motivation for this piece. Other references include: the mathematics of dynamic systems, capable of generating complex non-linear, behaviours, the materialization of surveillance and turbulence and the anti-modular reinterpretation of the work of modern designers such as Charles and Ray Eames.
General info
Spanish name:
Función de Onda
Year of creation:
2007
100 chairs version
Fifty chairs version
Exhibitions
- Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Decision Forest, Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea, 2018.
- Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Wavefunction, Subsculpture 9, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Irving Stenn, Jr. Family Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 2017.
- Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, bitforms gallery, New York City, New York, United States, 2008.
- Wavefunction, Kulczyk Foundation, Poznan, Poland, 2008.
- Some Things Happen More Often Than All Of The Time, Mexican Pavilion, 52 Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy, 2007.
Credits
- Programming: Conroy Badger
- Simulation: Gideon May
- Production: Pierre Fournier, David Lemieux, Natalie Bouchard, Boris Dempsey, Paul Duchaine, Sandra Badger, Stephan Schulz, Olfa Driss, Guy Bärtschi, Justine Durrett
- Production Assistance: Vitra
- Commissioned for: Mexican Pavilion, 52nd Biennale di Venezia, 2007
Bibliography
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- "Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's kinetic sculpture featured at University of Michigan Museum of Art." Artfix Daily, 10 Apr. 2017. San Francisco, California, United States, 2017. (english) (Websites)
- "Media art from the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection featured at the University of Michigan Museum of Art." Artfix Daily, 14 Dec. 2016. San Francisco, California, United States, 2017. (english) (Websites)
- "Rafael Lozano-Hemmer PG." Prepared Guitar, 13 Jan. 2015. Madrid, Spain, 2015. (english) (Websites)
- "Sarah Greenberg picks the best of the Venice Biennale." Royal Academy of Arts Magazine Issue96, 2007. London, United Kingdom. (english) (Magazines)
- Andersson, Cecilia. "Entrevista: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer." Exit Express, Nov. 2007. Madrid, Spain, 2011. (español) (Magazines)
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