Introduction
Using over six thousand rubber bands, a conical structure is formed where each band is interconnected. Below this rubber band structure, a weight exceeding 25 kilograms is suspended by chains.
During the exhibition, motors embedded in concrete continuously tighten the rubber bands. In this ongoing battle between the elasticity of the rubber bands, the gravitational force of the object, and the mechanical force of the motors, the conical arrangement of rubber bands steadily accumulates potential energy.
Throughout this process, the increasingly tightened and elevated rubber bands lift the concrete bricks below, and the lifted weights slowly move and rotate. At a certain moment, the torqued rubber bands are suddenly released, and the massive potential energy causes the weights below to spin rapidly, much like a top.
In this artwork, we can also perceive a collective fear of power, as well as a longing for victory
Rubber bands, a common item in our daily lives, embody characteristics such as elasticity, extensibility, and fragility. These traits go beyond the physical and, to some extent, symbolize the attributes of individuals in society. In today's increasingly prevalent individualism, how we maintain connections in a fragmented present has become a topic worthy of exploration.
In this project, my focus extends beyond the intrinsic properties of individual rubber bands as materials, to the connectivity produced between multiple rubber bands. This interconnectivity, which varies in efficacy depending on how they are linked, harbors immense energy. This cohesion has the power to slightly move or wear down things that seem heavy or indestructible. Although these shifts are minimal, countless moments of success accumulated over time and through the evolution of history can converge into a sustained and profound victory.
This effort is also Sisyphean. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was punished by the gods; he had to push a giant boulder up a steep hill in the underworld. Each time he reached the top, the boulder would roll back down, and he had to start over. This eternal punishment mirrors the modern-day cycles that pervade our lives: consumerism, information bubbles, control, and regimentation... We are already living in a world algorithmically predefined, performing our cyclical tasks within the gasping vortex of life, demonstrating our punctured, futile, and hopeless cycles of existence.
Moreover, the strength of the rubber bands is gradually diminished by continuous stretching, ultimately leading to them being snapped and scattered, sacrificing their value. The bricks are continuously lifted, rotated, abraded, or struck against the floor, gradually wearing down. In this artwork, we might contemplate what we endure on the path to victory. What experiences are we undergoing? What is being weakened, what is shattered, and what succeeds? This reflection allows us to gauge not just the physical changes but the philosophical and emotional journey within this cyclic struggle.
Victory might indeed resemble the moment when Sisyphus pushes the stone to the apex of the hill, right before it rolls down again. This moment carries with it our rich emotions, full hopes, and the material wear incurred during the process. It reaches a climax in the endless cycle, akin to successive victories forming peaks along a circular curve, continuously expanding the boundaries. This metaphor captures not just a moment of triumph, but a broader reflection on the enduring human spirit and our relentless pursuit of meaning and accomplishment, despite inevitable setbacks.
Technical Implementation
Prototype Construction
Before the exhibition, I conducted a prototype test with a smaller scale and size to examine the interplay of forces among the elasticity of the rubber bands, the torque of the stepper motor, and the gravitational pull of the weight.
In the actual test, a 60 x 60 cm square wooden frame was used, with 28 rubber bands suspended from it, and driven by a 3 Nm stepper motor. The test results indicated that when lifting a weight of about 5 kilograms, two rubber bands snapped, and the stepper motor struggled to maintain the twist of the rubber bands. Additionally, increasing the number of rubber bands reduces the force distributed to each band, thereby decreasing the likelihood of breakage. The height between the rubber bands and the weight below also determines the extent of the rubber bands' stretch. Specifically, the higher the height, the fewer the twists in the rubber bands, the less torque is applied on the stepper motor, making it easier to lift the weight below.
In the actual exhibition, the scale ratio between the exhibit space and the prototype dimensions is 1:4. Therefore, in the final construction, all materials used and the weights of the objects must be at least four times greater than those used in the prototype.
Exhibition Effect Rendering
Visualize the direct effects of the exhibit and present the relevant materials for each part.
Frame Fixing Structure:
Given the semi-enclosed nature of the exhibition space, a wooden frame is used and screwed into the walls on both sides to prevent the frame from twisting due to the movement of the rubber bands. Additionally, steel wires are used for suspension at one corner of the frame.
Rubber Band Connection Structure:
A composite rubber band connection structure is used, where one rubber band is threaded completely through another, maximizing the extent of stretching.
Hanging Object Structure:
Since it is necessary to combine the stepper motor with the weight, ensuring the power supply to the stepper motor and the connection method between the stepper motor and the weight are two major requirements.
For the power supply issue, to prevent the wires from tangling during the rotation of the motor placed above, a slip ring is used. This allows for continuous electrical connection between the rotating and fixed parts.
In terms of combining the motor with the weight, after several designs, it was decided to embed the stepper motor completely within a concrete brick to maximize the reinforcement of the connection between the motor and the brick. Additionally, steel cable ropes are used around the perimeter of the stepper motor and concrete brick for further reinforcement.
