Happy Accidents of Harmonic Oscillation

2012.

Materials: 8mm Toughened Glass, North American Oak, Nylon Rope.

Dimensions (L x W x H): Variable

In 1851 Foucoult introduced his pendulum thus proving the rotation of the earth. The experimental apparatus consists of a tall pendulum free to swing in any vertical plane. The actual plane of swing appears to rotate relative to the Earth; in fact the plane is fixed in space while the Earth rotates under the pendulum once a sidereal day.

Like the pendulum childhood swings can perform the same experiment, however a swing is an object of fun and exhilaration, with the operator becoming an inconsistent variable or chaos.

Happy Accidents of Harmonic Oscillation consists of a number of childhood swings suspended to a Pohutukawa tree. The swings themselves are tangled and unable to perform their intended function. This reenforces an element of variability or chaos.