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General notes on the show “Back and Forth” latest Kinetic Sculpture by Don MacLane, Springbox Gallery – May 2010
Interaction – Experimentation:
Each piece is a simple mechanical system of elements that can be set in motion by the observer. Since each element in a piece can be given a different velocity and starting angle the range of possible combinations is quite large. Each element has a characteristic period or time that it takes to complete its cycle of motion. Within a piece these periods are rarely identical so that, as the elements move, they shift in phase with respect to each other. At times the elements may be moving in unison. Then because of the difference in periods, they gradually shift so that they may be moving opposite one another. At times, one element may gradually reduce its amplitude, briefly stop or hesitate before gradually increasing its amplitude.
Some of the pieces allow the observer to change the period of one or more of the elements. The lengths of pendulums or aspects of the rocker can be changed resulting in a change to the time it takes for the element to move from one extreme to the other and back. By making these adjustments, the observer can radically change the pattern of motion. The elements can be set to move slowly and sedately or fast and frenetically. They can be set to emphasize the unison or difference in period. I like to think of these variations in behavior as different moods or aspects of the personality of the piece.
The interaction between piece and observer and the broad range of rhythmic motion patterns that result are at the heart of what I am interested in.
Energy exchange:
Each piece is a simple mechanical system of elements that can be set in motion. With the motion, each element possesses kinetic and potential energy. At an element’s maximum amplitude, its velocity is momentarily zero and all of its energy is in the form of potential energy. As returns, it gains velocity and the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. The element moves between states of all potential to all kinetic energy. This oscillation continues until the energy is lost due to rolling resistance (in the bearings and at the rocker to stone contact) and air resistance.
In the pieces where the elements are interdependent (rockers supporting pendulums and pendulums supporting other pendulums) the energy of one element can be transferred to that of another in the system. The resulting oscillations can be quite complex and rhythmically interesting.
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