Preternatural
Date: 2011
Medium: Static Electricity Sculpture
Materials: Acrylic, aluminum, feathers, wood, dielectric materials and components
Dimensions: Variable
Human powered generators produce static charges that then activate whimsical sculptures installed in the gallery. Incorporating electrostatic generators hand built by the artist, this body of work explores the role of the experimenter as both magician and scientist in an investigation of behavior of material. Subtle movement and gestures emerge as feathers twitch, light bulbs flicker, and windless chimes ring by no visible force or detectable breeze. As materials are charged with high voltage at low continuous current they become attracted to or repelled by installed components and the bodies of gallery visitors themselves.