Temperamental Time Machine
Stepper motors move slides across bass strings on the rotating arms. The positions of the slides determine the fundamental frequency of the strings and the center of mass of the arms, which freely rotate on bearings. The arms themselves do not have any powered movements. There are a total of 12 bass pickups on the sculpture (6 on each face). The string vibrations are only amplified when they are in close proximity to a pickup. Volume swells naturally result from the movement of the strings over the pickups.
The intersection and codependency of pitch, volume and tempo produces an emergent complexity in this enigmatic but graceful sculpture.
Atmospheres of Belonging
Artists: Byron Lahey, Lauryn Mannigel, Christy Spackman