A nylon pouch filled with 100g of graphite powder is launched from a pneumatic cannon 16 times. Each round’s impact leaves a unique impression on a clean sheet of paper. The pouch is shot from the cannon by the release of 25lbs. of pressure pumped into the cannon’s pressure chamber. Because of the smooth barrel and instability of the pouch’s shape, control over the projectile’s tumble is impossible.
the device/aftermath
(one of sixteen variables)
(one of sixteen variables)
Circular watercolor cakes are left to dissolve in intermittent rainfalls throughout the course of a single day. As the rain dissolves the cakes, the liquefied pigment drips onto a sheet of white cotton fabric. The attempt to retain the circular form is thwarted by the inability to control the location each raindrop will hit, the bleed of pigment on the fabric, and inconsistencies in the makeup of the cakes.
(the device in its natural habitat)
(detail)
Non-lightfast craft paper is mounted underneath sheets of lexan covered by black contact paper and left outside in direct daylight for 80 days. A section of the contact paper is removed every 10 days, exposing a new section of craft paper (and all sections previously removed) to ultraviolet rays. The result is the slightest gradation of sun bleaching of the paper.
(the system during its third stage)
(detail)
A Prismacolor marker is inserted through the face of a gear. When set outside on a day with gusts of wind exceeding 10mph, the pinwheel rotates the gears. Contact is made between the tip of the marker and a sheet of paper. As the wind sets the pinwheel and gears in motion, the marker traces a circular path onto the paper. If the wind calms, the pinwheel comes to a stop and the marker remains motionless, thus saturating the paper in one spot. The larger bleeds of ink reveal longer periods of time when the wind is calm.
(the device in its natural habitat)
(one of sixteen variables - each created over a 5 hour period)
(one of sixteen variables - each created over a 5 hour period)
A clock-driven sunshine recorder produces evidence of cloud coverage in the particular location it is set up. The hour hand of a clock is taped to an opaque 12” circle. A hole in this light shield (which moves in line with the hour hand) allows light to pass through, exposing a sheet of light-sensitive cyanotype paper. As clouds pass by, blocking the passage of sunlight to the paper, the paper remains unexposed (leaving breaks in the otherwise exposed line).
(the device in its natural habitat)
(one of sixteen variables)
(one of sixteen variables)
A single drop of ink is released from an eyedropper 24 times. Each drop lands on a paper target 13” from the dropper. With each inkdrop released, another is added to the dropper. The process, performed 24 times under constant conditions, would seemingly generate identical results. However, each droplet’s unique splash is verification that identical replication is an impossibility.
detail of device
(the evidence, post-bound in handmade book)
sharpie marker wind drawing on BFK
sharpie marker wind drawing on BFK
sharpie marker wind drawing on BFK
