Fluid Motion

Aluminum, steel, mechanical drive system Dimensions 34' x 9' 60' Sapperton Skytrain Station New Westminister 2002

Two 18 foot diameter aluminum wheels are mounted on a steel column on the centre median of the Skytrain guideway in the heart of the station. A 60’ long drive shaft is linked from the centre differential gears, up and across the tracks, to a very robust bicycle on the mezzanine. A person pedaling on the bicycle will drive the large wheels to rotate in opposite directions. Based on an early nineteenth century cinematic device called a Phenakistoscope by Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau, The action of this creates an animation to occur between the wheels as imagery mounted on the insides of each of the panels is flickered at the viewers on the platforms. A moon transitioning through 16 phases on one side, and the cross walk“ stick figure man” doing a!back flip over the horizon line on the other... A viewer standing on the platforms will see the simple animation effect by observing a siteline through the work. An interesting social dynamic is!set up between the peddler (who cannot see the images) and the people demanding more and faster action, on the platforms. The title refers to the fluid dynamic and animated movement of the trains and passengers pulsing into and out of the station. The station feeds the Royal Columbia Hospital and the Labatt's Brewery.... both somewhat fluid based industries.