Archimedean Excogitation
Visitors observing the sculpture in 2014
ArtistGeorge Rhoads
Year1987 (1987)
MediumMetal and assorted other materials[1]
MovementKinetic art
Dimensions8.2 m × 2.4 m × 2.4 m (27 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft)[2]
LocationMuseum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Websitegeorgerhoads.com/portfolio/31

Archimedean Excogitation is a 1987 audiokinetic rolling ball sculpture by George Rhoads. It is located in the atrium of the Museum of Science in Boston.

Description

External videos
video icon Archimedean Excogitation in operation

Archimedean Excogitation consists of a metal and glass display case framing a system of nine tracks on two main levels.[1][3] The lower level tracks contain billiard balls, which encounter a series of mechanical obstacles as they roll, some of which (such as a drum and xylophone) produce noise.[4][1] The upper level tracks contain larger duckpin bowling balls,[5] which push windmill blades and encounter similar obstacles.[3][4] In total, the sculpture has slightly fewer than 30 moving or sound-producing components,[6] and is 27 feet (8.2 m) tall.[2]

Construction

George Rhoads in 2008

Archimedean Excogitation was commissioned for the Museum of Science in Boston, with a budget of $536,100.[6] It was designed by George Rhoads, with assistance from Rock Stream Studios, and was installed in 1987.[2]

In 2015, the sculpture was refurbished and moved from the museum's lower lobby to its atrium.[5]

Reception

Archimedean Excogitation has been a popular attraction for museumgoers.[1][4] Metta Winter, writing for The Christian Science Monitor, described it as "a noisy, unpredictable affair observers find hard to walk away from".[1] Hayley Kaufman, writing for The Boston Globe, called it "seemingly unstoppable [and] delightfully complex".[4] It is associated with the kinetic art movement.

The sculpture is used by the museum as an educational tool to help illustrate the principles of physics and mechanical devices.[1] It was featured on a 1999 episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Winter, Metta (March 5, 1988). "Art in motion". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 5. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Archimedean Excogitation". George Rhoads. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Cook, Greg (August 29, 2016). "The 50 Best Works Of Public Art In Greater Boston, Ranked". WBUR. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kaufman, Hayley (July 30, 2011). "Science of beating the heat". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Museum of Science, Boston". Facebook. July 30, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Creative Machines & George Rhoads | Ball Machine Sculptures". Issuu. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  7. ↑ "When Things Get Broken". Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. March 25, 1999. WQED.
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