Moving Machines consists of three kinetic aluminium sculptures exhibited in the Fisher Gallery’s Sculpture Court from Friday 24 March until Sunday 23 April. The works are fun, tempting adults and children, while asking questions about the relationship between people and machines, laws of actions/reactions and what being a viewer of art entails.
Aiko Groot graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 1994 with a BFA. The three works in the exhibition are hand powered, electric machines that perform playful tasks, despite their polished task-efficient appearance. They are easy to operate machines that reverse our expectations for complicated, high-tech, imposing gadgetry. These machines are toy-like, their function is to create pleasure, rather than reduce labour. Together the works present an interactive environment, where the participation of the viewer is paramount.
A hand cranked generator created an electric current which sets either Acrobat or Spinner in operation. The third work Crazy Times is triggered by an infra-red sensor. Initially it begins to swing and then in spasmodic bursts, it blows lots of bubbles.