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One workweek chicken dragrace
 
   
A site specific installation rebuilt especially for the hosting venue. A 1:24 slotcar dragrace track is constructed and two dragsters (funny cars class) are assembled using a mix of industrial components and throwaway materials. The setup is designed according to exact specifications: the duration of the race is to be exactly 40 hours, a typical workweek. Exact speed of the dragsters is location specific, but a consequence of the 40 hour duration is that the dragsters move very slowly.

This work evolved as a response to the typical exhibition agreement which places an invisible border between spectator and work - see but no touch - and the difficulty to break this border, even in "interactive art" situations where the audience is supposed to interact. This installation masquerades as a regular no-touch kinetic sculpture, but every parameter has been carefullt crafted to manipulate the visitors to "illegally" touch the work. Along with spatiotemporal factors, local culture plays a main role in determining what features create the right temptation (this version was created for Liljevachls museum in Sweden). As a consequence, everything about this installation is subject to change, including the title and conceptual witeup.

The cars seem to be simply irresistible, introducing a major aspect of audience participation in the race. During a typical exhibition, the cars are touched, lifted, examined, moved, broken (constant repair/maintenance required). In the end, the track simply ends and the winner goes over the edge.

An overhead camera documents the entire duration of the race, including all the manipulation, as a stop-motion video.