Seismoscopes

The series "Seismoscopes" consists of devices that detect vibration around them, from footsteps to earthquakes, and record this vibration on paper using an automated XY-plotter. As each Seismoscope registers any seismic wave it is programmed to draw an illustration of a single Skeptical philosopher, over and over again. The first Seismoscope, for example, always draws the portrait of Portuguese philosopher Francisco Sanches, author of the seminal treatise "That Nothing is Known". The actual traces of the drawing follow a random path, although staying within the portrait image that has been burned into the memory of the device, --thus, every drawing is different. The artwork is the device itself not the drawings it makes: the collector or curator may give these drawings away, they may exhibit them as a pile on the floor or hang them neatly on the walls.

There will be approximately 20 Seismoscopes in total.

General info

Spanish name:

Seismoscopios

Year of creation:

2009

1: Francisco Sanchez

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Portuguese (1550-1623), author of "That Nothing is Known"

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

2: Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Persian (1058-1111), author of "The Incoherence of Philosophers"

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

3: Sextus Empiricus

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Greek (160-210), author of "Against the Mathematicians"

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

4: David Hume

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Scotish (1711-1776), author of "An Enquiry concerning human understanding"

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

5: Pyrrho of Elis

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Greek (360-270 BC), proponent of Acatalepsy (impossibility of comprehending a thing)

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

6: Nicolas Malebranche

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

French (1638-1715), dedicated his work to refute Cartesians

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

7: Juan Huarte de San Juan

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Spanish (1529-1588), author of "Examen de ingenios para las ciencias"

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

8: Baruch Spinoza

Technique:

Modified XY Plotter, vibration sensor, ipod, paper, stainless stand

Dimensions:

XY plotter measures 41 x 45 x 17 cm, sits on a podium that measures 115 x 41 x 45 cm and draws on tabloid paper (11x17 in.)

Additional info:

Dutch (1632-1677), vehement attacker of superstition

Keywords:

generator, indoor, robotic, print, interactive, sculpture

Edition:

1 Edition

Exhibitions

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Presencia Inestable, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey, Monterrey, México, 2019 - 2020.
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Présence instable, Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada, 2018.
En Marche. Faire un Pas, c'est Faire un Choix, Le Pénitencier - Musées Cantonaux du Valais, Sion, Switzerland, 2017 - 2018.
Aesthetica 50 Years of Computer Generated Art, DAM Gallery, Berlin, Germany, 2015.
Pencil/Line/Eraser, Carroll / Fletcher Gallery, London, United Kingdom, 2014.
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Recorders, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Australia, 2011 - 2012.
Drawing in Relation, DNA Gallery, Berlin, Germany, 2011.
Optimismo Radical, Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York City, New York, United States, 2010.
ARCO '10, bitforms gallery, Madrid, Spain, 2010.
Transition States, Haunch of Venison, New York City, New York, United States, 2009.
Recent works, Galerie Guy Bärtschi, Genève, Switzerland, 2009.

Credits

Programming: Stephan Schulz
Hardware: Stephan Schulz
Metal stand: Pierre Fournier
Production Assistance: David Lemieux, Karine Charbonneau

Bibliography

"Rafael Lozano-Hemmer PG." Prepared Guitar, 13 Jan. 2015. Madrid, Spain, 2015. (english) (Websites)
Davis, Ben. "Light Touch." Artnet, 23 Oct. 2009. New York City, New York, United States, 2016. (english) (Websites)