Electric Potatoes. Victor Grippo, 'Analogía I (2a. Versión)', Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
The galleries for contemporary art at the Art Institute of Chicago are always very worthwhile visiting. And the views of Millennium Park are amazing and often so bright that the windows have to be partially blinded off, as in this photo.
Here's an interesting installation by the Argentinian artist Victor Grippo (1936-2002). It's a surprising 'dump' of 800 pounds of Chilean potatoes on a damast-covered table. To these potatoes Grippo has attached copper and zink electrodes (see the red 'lines'); these sink into the potatoes' electrolytes which generate an electric current that can be measured on a voltmeter. Thus the energizing 'food of the poor masses' also has an entirely different physical dimension. Apparently the potatoes over time 'wear out', and they have to be replaced by new ones with fresher electrolytes...
In the background Millennium Park, of course...
Electric Potatoes. Victor Grippo, 'Analogía I (2a. Versión)', Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
The galleries for contemporary art at the Art Institute of Chicago are always very worthwhile visiting. And the views of Millennium Park are amazing and often so bright that the windows have to be partially blinded off, as in this photo.
Here's an interesting installation by the Argentinian artist Victor Grippo (1936-2002). It's a surprising 'dump' of 800 pounds of Chilean potatoes on a damast-covered table. To these potatoes Grippo has attached copper and zink electrodes (see the red 'lines'); these sink into the potatoes' electrolytes which generate an electric current that can be measured on a voltmeter. Thus the energizing 'food of the poor masses' also has an entirely different physical dimension. Apparently the potatoes over time 'wear out', and they have to be replaced by new ones with fresher electrolytes...
In the background Millennium Park, of course...