This kinetic installation uses two found weight mechanism clocks. The lead weights which are normally used to power the clocks have been removed and replaced by foods (bread and bananas) of the same mass. The clocks continue to work as normal – powered by the gravitational potential energy inherent in the foods. Originally installed at Goldsmiths College in 2002 and then at the Colony in Birmingham in 2004.
This kinetic installation uses two found weight mechanism clocks. The lead weights which are normally used to power the clocks have been removed and replaced by foods (bread and bananas) of the same mass. The clocks continue to work as normal – powered by the gravitational potential energy inherent in the foods.
On the banana version, 1.70kg of bananas (8 bananas) hang from each side of the brown clock. The bananas gradually drop down losing gravitational potential energy as they go. This clock will last for one week before the bananas have to hoisted back up to the top.
On the bread version, two 0.8kg loaves of bread hang from each side of the white cuckoo clock. The loaves gradually drop down losing gravitational potential energy as they go. This clock only lasts for 24 hours before the loaves of bread have to hoisted back up to the top. For more information about what gravitational potential energy is and how it is calculated, please see the information about the Potential Generator.
The piece was originally installed at Goldsmiths College in 2002 and then at the Colony in Birmingham in 2004 as part of the exhibition The End is the Beginning is the End, which featured works by Casey & McAree, Meiying Collins, Ellie Harrison and Dave Roland.