Studio Drift
Amplitude (Work Available for Indoor Commission), 2017
Glass, Brass, Robotics
Further images
ABOUT THE ARTWORK The movement in this installation is like the pulse that occurs in all living nature. Each element is triggered by a weight that slides back and...
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
The movement in this installation is like the pulse that occurs in all living nature. Each element is triggered by a weight that slides back and forth in the tube. Because the movement of the collection of tubes is synchronized by a computer, an impression is given of watching a bird flying in slow motion. In contrast to many of our other works, Amplitude does not incorporate a light source, but involves the reflection of external light sources on the installation. With this work we depict our fascination – among many others – for flying.
MOVEMENT
WORKING MECHANISM Each element is a balance of glass wings held together by a brass joint. In order to evoke movement, a small weight in the glass is changing position back and forth on a spindle. The glass tubes shift out of balance and start to move. Only a slight impulse is needed to create an elegant and natural flapping movement. The movements of each element vary from very small impulses, with now and then a small imbalance, to bigger impulses with higher consecutive speed levels. The maximum movement is the natural amplitude of the object, this depends on the weight of the tubes and the length of the hanging cables. Amplitude is a development of DRIFTs ‘In 20 Steps’ (2015) installation. In the original ‘In 20 Steps’ the movement was generated by cables and engines. In Amplitude the mechanism that drives the movement has become visible and allows each element to move individually.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Each element is an individual and performs its own movement, but at the same time, they work as a collective.
The Amplitudes can be hung in a straight row, creating a kind of wave movement. Or in a group, on different heights, dense or spread, like a flock of birds.
The combination of movements is synchronised and at certain times again
out of step. The movement is smooth and slow. Whether the choreography is synchronised or not, the viewer is transported into a meditative state. LIGHT The ‘birds’ have no integrated light source, but will be spotlighted. The movements of the glass, together with the reflection of the light, provide a spectacle of moving reflections and light points.
The movement in this installation is like the pulse that occurs in all living nature. Each element is triggered by a weight that slides back and forth in the tube. Because the movement of the collection of tubes is synchronized by a computer, an impression is given of watching a bird flying in slow motion. In contrast to many of our other works, Amplitude does not incorporate a light source, but involves the reflection of external light sources on the installation. With this work we depict our fascination – among many others – for flying.
MOVEMENT
WORKING MECHANISM Each element is a balance of glass wings held together by a brass joint. In order to evoke movement, a small weight in the glass is changing position back and forth on a spindle. The glass tubes shift out of balance and start to move. Only a slight impulse is needed to create an elegant and natural flapping movement. The movements of each element vary from very small impulses, with now and then a small imbalance, to bigger impulses with higher consecutive speed levels. The maximum movement is the natural amplitude of the object, this depends on the weight of the tubes and the length of the hanging cables. Amplitude is a development of DRIFTs ‘In 20 Steps’ (2015) installation. In the original ‘In 20 Steps’ the movement was generated by cables and engines. In Amplitude the mechanism that drives the movement has become visible and allows each element to move individually.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Each element is an individual and performs its own movement, but at the same time, they work as a collective.
The Amplitudes can be hung in a straight row, creating a kind of wave movement. Or in a group, on different heights, dense or spread, like a flock of birds.
The combination of movements is synchronised and at certain times again
out of step. The movement is smooth and slow. Whether the choreography is synchronised or not, the viewer is transported into a meditative state. LIGHT The ‘birds’ have no integrated light source, but will be spotlighted. The movements of the glass, together with the reflection of the light, provide a spectacle of moving reflections and light points.