Stalactite Machine is an unrealized mechanical sculpture that was prototyped 3 times in metal and in wood over two years before being laid to rest.
Karen Lofgren: Unrealized Art Project: Stalactite Machine
Stalactite Machine is a sculpture that builds another sculpture by scooping up pigmented paper pulp from a ceramic vessel and catapulting this material onto the ceiling. The work was prototyped three times from 2001-2003, at which time the work was abandoned as a hand-operated prototype. Electronic and mechanical cam systems failed and motors burned out, at the same time as I realized that no institution or gallery was likely to present such a demanding object from an unknown artist. Stalactite Machine was officially unrealized in 2004.
The main problems with Stalactite Machine were as follows:
It makes a massive mess on the ceiling and floor.
It needed to be refilled on a daily basis.
It was extremely expensive to build.
Stalactite Machine is an unrealized mechanical sculpture that was prototyped 3 times in metal and in wood over two years before being laid to rest.
Karen Lofgren: Unrealized Art Project: Stalactite Machine
Stalactite Machine is a sculpture that builds another sculpture by scooping up pigmented paper pulp from a ceramic vessel and catapulting this material onto the ceiling. The work was prototyped three times from 2001-2003, at which time the work was abandoned as a hand-operated prototype. Electronic and mechanical cam systems failed and motors burned out, at the same time as I realized that no institution or gallery was likely to present such a demanding object from an unknown artist. Stalactite Machine was officially unrealized in 2004.
The main problems with Stalactite Machine were as follows:
It makes a massive mess on the ceiling and floor.
It needed to be refilled on a daily basis.
It was extremely expensive to build.