Orbits & Revolutions
42oz McDonald's cup, spinning mechanism, shelf, attendant, Discourse on the Method
installation - dimensions variable1998
"At last I will devote myself sincerely and without reservation to the general demolition of my opinions."
– René Descartes
– René Descartes
42oz McDonald's cup, spinning mechanism, shelf,
attendant, Discourse on the Method
1998
The machine sets the empty McDonald's Super-Size cup into motion. It wobbles a random orbit upon the shelf like a spinning coin. Slowly at first, but it's spin increasing in frequency as the bottom's flat surface becomes ever closer to the shelf top it spins upon. Speeding to a stop. Yet, before it can come to rest, the machine once again sets the cup into motion. The randomness of it all is as mesmerizing as watching a flickering fire's flame dance about.
The cycle doesn't last forever (usualy only 15-20 minutes), and the cup will eventually orbit beyond the boundaries of the shelf. Tipping over the lip of the shelf and crashing to the floor. When this occurs, the attendant sitting nearby will pause their reading, returning the empty cup back to the shelf where the cycle can continue.
Attendants are required to read Discourse on the Method, by René Descartes. The duration of the piece varies and is dependant upon the completion of reading the book.
The cycle doesn't last forever (usualy only 15-20 minutes), and the cup will eventually orbit beyond the boundaries of the shelf. Tipping over the lip of the shelf and crashing to the floor. When this occurs, the attendant sitting nearby will pause their reading, returning the empty cup back to the shelf where the cycle can continue.
Attendants are required to read Discourse on the Method, by René Descartes. The duration of the piece varies and is dependant upon the completion of reading the book.
