Archimedean Excogitation
{{short description|Kinetic sculpture by George Rhoads}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox artwork
| image_file=Archimedean Excogitation.jpg
| image_size=
| caption=Visitors observing the sculpture in 2014
| title=Archimedean Excogitation
| artist=George Rhoads
| year = {{start date|1987}}
| medium=Metal and assorted other materials{{Cite news |last=Winter |first=Metta |date=March 5, 1988 |title=Art in motion |pages=5 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72692173/art-in-motion/ |access-date=March 5, 2021}}
| movement=Kinetic art
| city=Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| museum=Museum of Science
| coordinates =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 13
| height_imperial=27
| width_imperial=8
| length_imperial=8
| imperial_unit=ft
| metric_unit=m
| dimensions_ref={{Cite web |title=Archimedean Excogitation |url=http://georgerhoads.com/portfolio/31/ |access-date=March 5, 2021 |website=George Rhoads}}
| website={{URL|http://georgerhoads.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 media|float=left|width=161px|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX1gk1OiFqw Archimedean Excogitation in operation]}}
Archimedean Excogitation consists of a metal and glass display case framing a system of nine tracks on two main levels.{{Cite news |last=Cook |first=Greg |date=August 29, 2016 |title=The 50 Best Works Of Public Art In Greater Boston, Ranked |language=en |work=WBUR |url=https://www.wbur.org/artery/2016/08/29/boston-best-public-art |access-date=March 5, 2021}} 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. The upper level tracks contain larger duckpin bowling balls,{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2015 |title=Museum of Science, Boston |url=https://www.facebook.com/museumofscience/photos/a.90345407723.90184.12044622723/10153007457082724/ |access-date=March 5, 2021 |website=Facebook}} which push windmill blades and encounter similar obstacles. In total, the sculpture has slightly fewer than 30 moving or sound-producing components, and is {{convert|27|ft}} tall.
Construction
File:George Rhoads (cropped).jpg in 2008]]
Archimedean Excogitation was commissioned for the Museum of Science in Boston, with a budget of $536,100.{{Cite web |title=Creative Machines & George Rhoads {{!}} Ball Machine Sculptures |url=https://issuu.com/creativemachines/docs/ball_machines_letter_to_send |access-date=March 5, 2021 |website=Issuu |language=en}} It was designed by George Rhoads, with assistance from Rock Stream Studios, and was installed in 1987.
In 2015, the sculpture was refurbished and moved from the museum's lower lobby to its atrium.
Reception
Archimedean Excogitation has been a popular attraction for museumgoers. Metta Winter, writing for The Christian Science Monitor, described it as "a noisy, unpredictable affair observers find hard to walk away from". Hayley Kaufman, writing for The Boston Globe, called it "seemingly unstoppable [and] delightfully complex".{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Hayley |date=July 30, 2011 |title=Science of beating the heat |work=The Boston Globe |url=http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/family/articles/2011/07/30/examining_archimedean_excogitation_at_the_museum_of_science/ |access-date=March 5, 2021}} 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. It was featured on a 1999 episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.{{Cite episode |title=When Things Get Broken |series=Mister Rogers' Neighborhood |network=WQED |date=March 25, 1999}}
See also
References
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Category:Kinetic sculptures in the United States