Opposition (2005, 4.5MB, 1 min.)

Interactive kinetic sculpture from Jonathan Schipper performed at Pierogi gallery in 2005.
“Two participants are taken from the audience and buckled into the saddles on either
end of the machine. The participants are then lifted into the air. Both participants are provided
hand controllers that allow them to control the movement of the saddles, which are on
pneumatically powered gimbals, and the central rotation of the machine. Some movements
are shared and some affect only one or the other of the two participants. The function of each
input button on the controllers is changed by a computer on a regular basis so that the
participants can not gain full control of the machine. A rock and roll band is playing electric
instruments near by. The amplification for the band is turned on by the machine while the
machine is in the air. The band members (Outside Man) wear helmets that isolate the band,
who can not hear anything other than their own sounds. After a few minutes the participants
are brought back to the ground and released from the machine. The band is turned off and
the machine is ready for the next cycle.”