wind-aided solar-powered drawing machine (with bells)
solar panel, found objects, wire, concrete, bells - 2007
play video w real player view photos
play video on youtube

wind-aided solar-powered drawing machine II
solar panel, found objects, wire, tubing, bells - 2007
play video w real player view photos
play video on youtube

wind-powered drawing machine
wire, pencil, sardine tin - 2007
play video w real player view photos
play video on youtube

wind-driven drawing machine
found objects, wire, sardine tins - 2007
play video w real player view photos
play video on youtube

These machines grew from the idea of sculpture interacting with the environment (an idea I first toyed with in the frost catchers) to create movement, sound and 'drawings'.

The first two drawing machines make use of solar power & wind. The props, driven by the solar cells, have wire in the blades and these strike the pencil wires. This can be heard as the continual tapping in the audio. The louder clicks are the pencils jumping. The props themselves are a little too flat to produce much airflow but their spinning adds vibration to the structures overall. The flat surfaces or fins catch a little of whatever breeze is present and move the 'cage' or the pencils, depending on the piece.

The next two pieces are wind-driven - one rather simple, one a bit more complex.

The Beaufort Scale referred to in the videos is a measure of estimated wind speed and effect. It was developed by Britain's Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) in the early 1800s to help sailors estimate the winds by visual observation. The Beaufort Scale runs from 0 to 12. It is still used today to estimate wind strength. [The Beaufort Scale is also the subject of Tempest in a Teacup found under the Video page.]

One of the things I quite like about these pieces is that they take the elegance of solar & wind power and use it to wang away at bits of metal - somewhat like using your crescent wrench as a hammer - and yet, in the process, they turn out these subtle little drawings.
real player, if you need to load it, can be obtained here

h o m e
© jamie newton