falling objects | nº 60 - 67

8 crane machines, 100'000 steel spheres (3mm)
Size: Variable
Year: 2009, Edition: Variable, Växjö Konsthall, Sweden

Falling objects consists of 8 crane machines and 100'000 metal spheres. The artist has built a machine which allows him to magnetise and de-magnetise an electromagnet. The electromagnets move slowly up and down. As soon as the 'magnet ' touches the small spheres lying on the floor, a sensor transforms the electromagnet into a magnet. As a result the small metal spheres "stick' to it and start to move upward. Three meters from the floor the machine suddenly looses its magnetic function, which makes the spheres fall on the floor and spread out, in a random pattern.

The work focuses on the anticipation of the very specific moment when a large amount of spheres are falling to the the floor simultaneously; a moment that Xavier Erkizia describes as resembling a sort of “frozen rain”, which “helps us to become aware of the properties of space through the act of listening”.

Following the intense moment of impact the metal spheres continue to move within the gallery space, acting as individual sound sources, creating up to 1000 layers of sound for each descent.

Falling Objects is the second interpretation of a larger series of works which aim to explore the same materials (motors, polyboxes and small metal spheres) under different conditions. The first interpretation of Falling Objects was presented earlier this year at Tabakalera International Culture Centre in San Sebastian, Spain.