Sculptures

Gerrit van Bakel

'Provisional Rainbow Machine (without theory)' 1980

Location: Hall of the Hoofdgebouw 

In the early 1980s Van Bakel sought more alliance with science, particularly mathematics, physics and chemistry. To this end he also established contacts with physicists at the TU/e. This resulted among other things in the 'Provisional Rainbow Machine (without theory)'. In it Van Bakel tries to unite the subjective color theory of Goethe and the scientific physical approach to Newton into one whole. The principle of night and day again produced the motion: the hotter it is, the higher the Rainbow would extend.

The 'Definitive Rainbow Machine, with theory' was supposed to be three times as big and was intended to be mounted outside. Van Bakel has never been able to finish it and all that is left of the integrated theory is notes. Van Bakel regularly explained the importance of his machines: "My machines do not generate products. They produce awareness. In that sense, then, my objects are machines."

See also: Tarim Machine