Artwork of the Week: ‘Pulse’ (2018) by Margot Bethel and Fernando Mira

09/20/2018

‘Pulse’ by Margot Bethel and Fernando Mira

This interactive MACHINE perches slightly precariously on a structure that resembles a make-shift shack. Along with a lit-up keyboard, that looks inviting (don’t push the button!?), there are little containers and bells everywhere. Even knowing that you can interact with an artwork, there is a bit of hesitation to do so, but these objects are so more-ish that they kind-of drag you in.

This interactive MACHINE perches slightly precariously on a structure that resembles a make-shift shack. Along with a lit-up keyboard, that looks inviting (don’t push the button!?), there are little containers and bells everywhere. Even knowing that you can interact with an artwork, there is a bit of hesitation to do so, but these objects are so more-ish that they kind-of drag you in.

There are little discarded hotel-shampoo-bottles full of indigenous seeds: simple contraptions making complex noises. The buttons on the keyboard each contain and complex sound, which if you would like you can layer and layer, building to a booming, symphonic sound. There are slight characteristics of the sculpture that pull your attention to memories and irritations: reminders of shaking Poinciana pods as a child, alongside the thought that these damn shampoo bottles last just one night and they are so foreign to us but must fill our landfill to the brim. And that means things. But it is also just so cool!