Fly
Glass, cable, machined aluminium, pulley, custom control system and software
2 x 2 m
Prototype
Rachel Verghis - Incubator
‘Fly’ studies the movement of objects and insects within a confined space. An abstract representation of a fly is held captive inside a glass box, centrally ensnared by eight cables. The behaviour of this ‘fly’ is controlled by a unique and autonomous algorithm, accurately simultating the observed behaviour of real flies.
The ‘fly’ has the freedom to move anywhere within its box, but lacks spatial reference. rAndom has applied this pattern of movement to an inanimate object, as though it were trapped beneath a watch-glass; exploring not only the behaviour of objects but also that of humans. When the ‘fly’ senses the presence of a person at its perimeter, it changes the demeanour of its flight in response. This continuing physical interplay of action and reaction can offer a new perspective to our own behaviour, its effects and apparent freedom, in the current age.
‘Fly’ premiered at the 4th Moscow Biennial of Contemporary Art, curated by Peter Weibel.