Synaptic Caguamas

Subsculpture 4

“Synaptic Caguamas” (Subsculpture 4) is a kinetic sculpture consisting of a motorized Mexican "cantina" bar table with 30 "Caguama"-sized beer bottles (1-litre each). The bottles spin on the table with patterns generated by cellular automata algorithms that simulate the neuronal connections in the brain. Every few minutes the bottles are reset automatically and seeded with new initial conditions for the algorithm, so that the movement patterns are never repeated. This kinetic sculpture is a primitive and absurd attempt to make tangible the mathematics of recollection and thought.

General info

Spanish name:
Caguamas Sinápticas
Year of creation:
2004
Technique:
Glass bottles on motorized wooden table, PC running algorithms that simulate neuronal activity
Dimensions:
210 x 180 x 87 centimeters
Keywords:
Edition:
3 Editions, 1 AP
Collectors:
Colección FEMSA and private collectors

Exhibitions


Credits

  • Concept and Direction: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
  • Programming: Conroy Badger
  • Poduction Support: Will Bauer, Sandra Badger, Karl-Erik Riesach, Peggy Strong, Robyn Badger, Jennifer Laughlin, Denis Sulivan, Olav Kahlbaum, OMR Gallery (México)

Bibliography