Lump kicks off its twelfth season with Mechatronic Symphony, a new installation by Dana Raymond. Lump will host an opening reception Friday, September 7th from 7 – 11pm during the First Friday Gallery Walk located in downtown Raleigh. The exhibition will run from September 7th through the 29th and is on view Saturdays from 1 - 5pm and appointment during the week.
It was bound to happen: computer technology operating my kinetics. The digital world has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our lives. My resistance to this invasion diminished when I finally realized the tremendous potential at hand.
Mechatronic Symphony is by far more complex than any of my other previous explorations in mechanical kinetic sculpture. First and foremost, I must give ample credit for the realization of my dream. Robert Bailis, a genius electronic engineer and industrial designer, came into my life at the beginning of 2006. I had been imagining a couple projects (one to become Mechatronic Symphony) with digital ambitions for two years. My visions remained concepts, until I met Robert. Together we shared the excitement and challenge of realizing my concepts. A year and a half of testing, development, and refinement produced this sculpture installation. I am enormously indebted to Robert’s wisdom, talent, skills, and the patience to teach me some of the fundamental technology.
Mechatronic Symphony is a robotic sculpture that provides an infinite range of possible compositional performances. My fascination with both composed and natural movement is at the core of my kinetic projects. As with most of my work, the spaces I create are more important than the physical forms. This should be most evident in the “Symphony’s” composition called “1st Dance”. Space between movements allows the mind time to absorb and reflect on what was just experienced as well as anticipate what comes next. For me, this is equivalent to living in the “now” as opposed to the past and future.
This installation merely scratches at the surface of the enormous potential of robotics. I am currently trying to contain my imagination so I can simply enjoy the fruits of Mechatronic Symphony.
---Dana Raymond 2007
Mechatronic Symphony is the fifth installation by Dana Raymond for Lump. He is an associate professor of art at NC State and has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
