"The Information Process" 2005

Mixed media two person ride-on kinetic sculpture

20' high x 86' x 18'

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The Information Process was produced for T1 – Torinotriennale tremusei and was installed at the Castello di Rivoli. The clear suggestion in this work was that making the ride move would make the large wheel turn. A simple but attractive proposition.

Instructions were written, in Italian and English at each of the two seats, placed at opposite ends of the truss structure. Each seat was provided with a “start” button. Each seat also had two monitors available for viewing, but no sound. One monitor showed the other rider sitting on their seat, whilst the second showed a view of the large wheel. The participants were advised by the written instructions that in order to make the ride move both participants must co-ordinate and press the start button at the same instant. To add spice to this set up I installed alarm bells under each seat, and with each button press the bells would ring loudly for some 12 seconds or more, thus destroying any potential for verbal communication.

Of course participants would sit and immediately press the button in front of them, but not at the same time, leading to general confusion and poor communication between the two particpants. A co-ordinated start button press usually required outside communicative assistance.