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| Consumption - Kinetic Sculpture (2008) video |
At the time of the creation of this artwork, the United States used more electricity each year than any other nation. It was a country defined by its immense consumption of resources, and this voracious appetite extended to water usage as well. The United States is ranked as the third largest consumer of water globally. This relentless consumption of electricity and water serves as the backdrop for the artwork Consumption, which seeks to evoke both awe and introspection in its viewers.
Consumption captivates and surprises by doing the unexpected. The piece features a motor that initially whines up, drawing the audience's attention. Water starts spraying out onto the inside of a wooden ring suspended in the installation. As the water droplets begin to fall, the wooden ring slowly starts to move. Gradually, the ring picks up speed, spinning more rapidly until the pump cuts out and the motor shuts off, allowing the ring to decelerate slowly.
What makes Consumption particularly intriguing is the seemingly disconnected relationship between the motor and the wooden ring. The motor is not directly attached to the ring; instead, it is suspended from the ceiling, emphasizing its separation. The motor uses electrical energy to spin a small disk at high speeds. This disk serves as the primary mechanism for transferring energy within the artwork.
As the electric motor pumps five gallons of water rapidly onto the spinning disk, the water is flung off the disk due to centrifugal force. However, before the water droplets are expelled, they collect some of the disk's inertia. When these droplets strike the wooden ring, they transfer their accumulated inertia to the ring, causing it to spin. This indirect transfer of energy from the motor to the ring through the water droplets is a central element of the piece.
Consumption highlights the significant loss of potential energy as it is converted into other forms. This inefficiency mirrors our own wasteful practices when it comes to the use of electricity and water. The artwork demonstrates how much energy is dissipated in the process of achieving a desired outcome, emphasizing the inefficiency and waste inherent in our consumption habits.
The installation invites viewers to enter with a sense of wonder at the mechanical and physical interactions taking place. The initial marvel at the engineering and motion of the piece is designed to capture attention. However, as the viewers understand the underlying message and the inefficiencies represented, they are encouraged to leave with a sense of disgust and reflection. Consumption aims to provoke a critical examination of personal and societal resource use.
By witnessing the waste of energy in the artwork, viewers are prompted to reflect on their own usage of electricity and water. The piece serves as a call to action, urging individuals to consider ways they can conserve these precious resources. Through this juxtaposition of awe and inefficiency, Consumption seeks to foster a deeper awareness and inspire more sustainable practices in daily life.
In creating Consumption, the hope is that viewers will not only appreciate the artistic and mechanical ingenuity but also recognize the broader implications of resource wastage. The artwork stands as a metaphor for the excessive and often careless consumption patterns prevalent in society, encouraging a shift towards more mindful and efficient use of electricity and water.