Ein Hammer is an art
installation for Burning Man 2010 in the Black Rock
Desert of Nevada. For more details,
click
here to visit the Progress
Blog.
Thank you to Burning Man for
awarding this project an honorarium grant!
Underground, beneath a giant sledge hammer, busy
workers move among tunnels and turbines visible from the
portholes on the ground. Infinity mirrors and a large
conveyor belt moving tools to the workers below furthers the
illusion. The stalled subterranean power turbines that run
the city need a "bump start", and a call is made to participants
for their help.
Three regular-sized lightweight sledge hammers are the tools for
interaction. When a participant slams one down, a deep, low sound shakes
the ground, feet, ankles, etc. The more simultaneously the three
hammers are slammed, the higher the flames go up the giant
hammer's shank. A
stall at the top of the trajectory like that of a metal weight
makes the interface that much more reminiscent of the "High
Striker" carnival attraction. If they get the flames all the way
to the top, the hammerhead spins with fire, unfolds, and
reflects shafts of light downward like an infernal disco ball as
the underground turbines groan up to speed. Strength and
accuracy matter not-- it's all in the timing.
Image by Maciej
Dressed as Rotwang from
the 1927 silent film, Metropolis, A crazed barker with German
accent engages the crowd into
joining in as they give the three hammer-shlammers the count "Eine...
zwei... drei... jetzt!" igniting a mutual obsession to
restore power to the city and resume the status quo.
Ein Hammer (German for One Hammer) is a tribute to workers as one-- that
with all of our grand ideas, promises, or sales of derivatives,
nothing happens unless the workers work... together.
Slam The Hammer!
Art like The
Ein Hammer Project requires a bundle of bucks, marks, and euros to
pull it off in a way that delights worker brothers and sisters like
you. Please click on the Paypal donation link below and make a
contribution of any size. Together, we'll make history at
Burning Man 2010 whilst speaking in
outrageous German accents!
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