“(+/‑) Pendulum” presented by Kapur and Arar
Symposium:
Session Title:
- Technology (Papers)
Presentation Title:
- (+/‑) Pendulum
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
Inspired by the ISEA 2014 call for work on the theme Location, (+/‑) Pendulum is comprised of an electro‑mechanically operated kinetic sculpture that is driven based on user input from a participatory smartphone application. The basis of the installation is founded on the mechanics of the Foucault Pendulum. Unlike a conventional pendulum, the arm of the installation will operate horizontally using the same physical properties as if gravity is still impacting it. The intent of the work is to reflect on the intersection of our digital lives with our physical lives. While the Foucault Pendulum was created in the mid‑19th Century to exemplify the Earth’s physical properties, we now live in an era where the aspects of physicality may not bear as much weight.(+/‑) Pendulum’s operation is thus based on user input from a smartphone application which asks the question ‘Where do you want to be?’. From collective user input, an average of all data points orient the pendulum to a collective desired location, which seeks to show that our world is not flat, round or oblong—it is malleable and democratic in the digital sphere.
