In mid-July 2022 a proposal was submitted for the art-for-architecture competition for the Bretzenheim-Süd nursery school in Mainz. An object entitled “Drehmaschine” (Turning Machine) is intended as an invitation for the children to participate by being able to choose and alter the motifs of images themselves.
from motif 1
to motif 2
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to motif 2
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to motif 3
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The turning machine offers motifs to the children that they can create themselves. The motifs are taken from nature, from the world of animals and the world of plants. The background is the theme of the educational work at the nursery school in Bretzenheim Süd, which has adopted the natural environment and sustainability as its programme. Consequently the art object includes two animal and two plant motifs.
It consists of rotating rods, which first of all possess a haptic appeal. The children want to touch them and turn them. In doing so they see changes in the image that appears on the rods. The rotating rods – with a four-sided profile – are painted on all four sides. When the rods remain in a random position, they show an abstract image with its own aesthetic charm. This image can be changed infinitely, always producing something new. The opportunities for the children to create abstract images in this way are inexhaustible. However, as soon as the rods are placed with the same orientation, they generate a recognisable picture. A motif appears, and can be turned into a different motif when all rods are turned in the same way. The children will understand this quickly and purposefully look for the motifs. The basic colour that is assigned to each individual motif helps them to do this.
Thus the visual message of the object is produced only by the children. They create the art here. The Turning Machine is a participative and interactive artistic offering that can always occupy several children at once.