"Technology is developing so fast that no harmony, no adaptation to new data, can take place" said Gerrit van Bakel in 1980. In his many constructions he referred to this view of 'harmony'. Sometimes a construction was a satire on consumer society, other times it represented his view that mankind itself must get to grips with its world. Van Bakel (1943 - 1984) attended the Art Academy in Den Bosch, but dropped out halfway through. <//span>

In his work the technique was a means to make the powers in nature visible. On the other hand, he also used it to react against modern (technological) developments: "I have not concealed anything, I am showing everything for the world to see. You, however, (to physicist Hans Beltman) have been busy for years hiding away the technique. The fantastic adventure of man is hidden away in erotic overworked symbols. I have never seen a radio that looks like a radio. That annoys me. People are not prepared to face up to what they do." (1980)

In the 1960s he himself shaped his living environment anew, based on elementary needs and simple principles. He constructed dozens of pieces of furniture and a number of wall objects, including an awning. In hot weather the users could turn the cool colors (blue) of the panel towards themselves, in cold weather the warm colors (red and yellow). That is how he got onto the principle of night and day. The panels of the awning would automatically have to show the right colors by means of a technique that was based on the difference in heat between night and day.

This principle he applied to numerous works since the 1970s, also to the two works of art that the TU/e possesses, the 'Tarim Machine' (1979 - 1982) and the 'Provisional Rainbow Machine' (1982).

See also:
'Voorlopige Regenboogmachine' (1982)
Vubis database

Links Van Bakel
www.gerritvanbakel.nl
www.hetdomein.nl/tentoonstellingen/pages/tenBak.html
http://www.tue.nl/cursor/bastiaan/jaargang43/cursor08/cultuur.shtml
http://www.tue.nl/cursor/bastiaan/jaargang43/cursor29/voorpagina.shtml
http://www.tue.nl/cursor/bastiaan/jaargang43/cursor30/cultuur.shtml