Tempe, Arizona
Ash, Cocobolo, Poplar, Baltic Birch, Steel Shot, Sand, Hemp Rope.
An exploration of systems and human energy has given rise to a concept that challenges the traditional boundaries of gallery spaces—where “do not touch” rules reign supreme. This interactive piece invites participation, encouraging users to take a scoop of sand and pour it into the sieve basket, directly engaging with the artwork and becoming part of its kinetic equation.
With each added scoop, a new variable is introduced. The shifting weight disrupts the balance of the freestanding structure, setting the system in motion. As the filled basket descends under the added load, it lifts its counterpart—containing a constant, fixed amount of sand and counterweight—into the air.
An equation unfolds: human input, material weight, and gravitational force intertwine in a rhythmic dance. The basket, heavy with sand and infused with human energy, falls gracefully to the ground, releasing its contents as it descends. Slowly, it is drawn back up, and the entire piece swings in a hypnotic to-and-fro motion, dissipating the kinetic energy until equilibrium is restored.
Eventually, the cycle reaches zero—resetting, awaiting the next participant to introduce their own energy, continuing the dialogue between human interaction and mechanical response.