Archimedean Excogitation

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Archimedean Excogitation
Archimedean Excogitation.jpg
Visitors observing the sculpture in 2014
ArtistGeorge Rhoads
Year1987 (1987)
MediumMetal and assorted other materials[1]
MovementKinetic art
Dimensions8.2 m × 2.4 m × 2.4 m (27 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft)[2]
LocationMuseum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Websitegeorgerhoads.com/portfolio/31

Archimedean Excogitation is a 1987 audiokinetic rolling ball sculpture by George Rhoads. It is located in the atrium of the Museum of Science in Boston.

Description[]

External video
video icon Archimedean Excogitation in operation

Archimedean Excogitation consists of a metal and glass display case framing a system of nine tracks on two main levels.[1][3] The lower level tracks contain billiard balls, which encounter a series of mechanical obstacles as they roll, some of which (such as a drum and xylophone) produce noise.[4][1] The upper level tracks contain larger duckpin bowling balls,[5] which push windmill blades and encounter similar obstacles.[3][4] In total, the sculpture has slightly fewer than 30 moving or sound-producing components,[6] and is 27 feet (8.2 m) tall.[2]

Construction[]

George Rhoads in 2008

Archimedean Excogitation was commissioned for the Museum of Science in Boston, with a budget of $536,100.[6] It was designed by George Rhoads, with assistance from Rock Stream Studios, and was installed in 1987.[2]

In 2015, the sculpture was refurbished and moved from the museum's lower lobby to its atrium.[5]

Reception[]

Archimedean Excogitation has been a popular attraction for museumgoers.[1][4] Metta Winter, writing for The Christian Science Monitor, described it as "a noisy, unpredictable affair observers find hard to walk away from".[1] Hayley Kaufman, writing for The Boston Globe, called it "seemingly unstoppable [and] delightfully complex".[4] It is associated with the kinetic art movement.

The sculpture is used by the museum as an educational tool to help illustrate the principles of physics and mechanical devices.[1] It was featured on a 1999 episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Winter, Metta (March 5, 1988). "Art in motion". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 5. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Archimedean Excogitation". George Rhoads. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Cook, Greg (August 29, 2016). "The 50 Best Works Of Public Art In Greater Boston, Ranked". WBUR. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Kaufman, Hayley (July 30, 2011). "Science of beating the heat". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Museum of Science, Boston". Facebook. July 30, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Creative Machines & George Rhoads | Ball Machine Sculptures". Issuu. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "When Things Get Broken". Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. March 25, 1999. WQED.
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