Alongside the Vivisection work, I have been doing some reading and research into 19th century mechanization, Virilio’s essay “The Art of the Motor”, and dwelling on things I associate with the 19th Century. When you say: “19th Century Europe!”
I think (in alphabetical order):
- Casper David Friedrich
- Enlightenment
- The Encyclopedia
- Gare St. Lazare, Paris and the Modern City
- JMW Turner & John Constable
- Museum as Public institution
- Romanticism
- Rise of Nationalism and the “Nation-State”
- Large Scale Industrialization Steam Engine
- Subject/Object dominance in Painting
(Wait a sec - some of these things are from the 18th Century...hmm)
Moving along,
Following the vivisection, I intend to physically transform the machinaKafe’s application. I would like to explore, by transforming it into a cultural artifact, a metaphore of architecture’s purpose, or ability (strength? Hold over culture?) after the 19th century, rise and rapid deployment of high speed communication and the evaporation of real distance and space. That’s a lot of bullshit (I know – its so vague).
Steam is so hot. And it’s invisible, sort of. It can cover visible things and then make them invisible. Water is clear. Its also highly reflective, able to create true and fantastically distorted images of reality.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
VIVISECTION: machinaKafe: disassembly phase three
Disassembly Phase Three of machinaKafe explores and reveals the mechanics of the machine by documenting specifically the gears and technology of the apparatus’ components and their inter-active functions.
The Water Tank section demonstrates the hierarchical relationship between water and steam, light and heavy, visible and invisible. There are no tubes, or pumps required to deliver the steam – there is but a pathway, a series of portals. Conversely the water is drawn from the base of the tank through a silicon tube.
Alongside this documentation, an exploded axonometric drawing demonstrates the fundamental logic of the machine, the manner of dividing and channeling separate steam and water quantities through the various connecting and delivering elements, simultaneously controlling the flow of electrical power required o heat (assumed) Nichrome wire embedded in the tank: the tank for boiling water, the head for dividing steam from water, the levers which control the “timing” and “location” for carrying water and steam to final destinations. In the photos below, we see all the components laid out.
The Water Tank section demonstrates the hierarchical relationship between water and steam, light and heavy, visible and invisible. There are no tubes, or pumps required to deliver the steam – there is but a pathway, a series of portals. Conversely the water is drawn from the base of the tank through a silicon tube.
Alongside this documentation, an exploded axonometric drawing demonstrates the fundamental logic of the machine, the manner of dividing and channeling separate steam and water quantities through the various connecting and delivering elements, simultaneously controlling the flow of electrical power required o heat (assumed) Nichrome wire embedded in the tank: the tank for boiling water, the head for dividing steam from water, the levers which control the “timing” and “location” for carrying water and steam to final destinations. In the photos below, we see all the components laid out.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
VIVISECTION: machinaKafe: disassembly phase two
Disassembly Phase Two of machinaKafe looks at the striped object and begins to explore more intimately the process by which it operates and how I can affect its “set” process.
Similar to the beginning of the project, a steam test is performed, but this time with the ability to “see” and “incorporate” myself in the mechanics’ choreography. My new intimacy with the process also leads me to wonder more about the spectacle of the technology (the noise of the steam, the pulse of the water pressure, my hand releasing steam pressure). I am especially interested in the steam and water elements of the machine.
The large heating element and connecting steam wand, and water dispenser with the element for holding the portafilter form the guts of the machine. The main body, the tank becomes very hot when activated. And similar to the complete machine resting on four silicon tabs, the heating element straddles above the floor by resting on four of its own silicon tabs installed in the plastic body part (as shown in the photos).
Similar to the beginning of the project, a steam test is performed, but this time with the ability to “see” and “incorporate” myself in the mechanics’ choreography. My new intimacy with the process also leads me to wonder more about the spectacle of the technology (the noise of the steam, the pulse of the water pressure, my hand releasing steam pressure). I am especially interested in the steam and water elements of the machine.
The large heating element and connecting steam wand, and water dispenser with the element for holding the portafilter form the guts of the machine. The main body, the tank becomes very hot when activated. And similar to the complete machine resting on four silicon tabs, the heating element straddles above the floor by resting on four of its own silicon tabs installed in the plastic body part (as shown in the photos).
Monday, September 24, 2007
VIVISECTION: machinaKafe: disassembly phase on
Disassembly Phase One of machinaKafe explores and de-nudes the "facade" of the object.
Below is a sequence of the striptease. And teased I was! There was more screwing than I expected before I could open this puppy up. The various knobs and points securing the plastic components together are hidden well. These things are not meant to be open with great force. To "gently" pull the components apart, always look under the silicon tabs for hidden screws! The silicon tabs, under the plastic base are (my guess) part the fire safety design of the machine.
This is (in my opinion) a pretty ugly machine, but the design is coherent, and I appreciate that more having held glazed over the various components for many hours.
Below is a sequence of the striptease. And teased I was! There was more screwing than I expected before I could open this puppy up. The various knobs and points securing the plastic components together are hidden well. These things are not meant to be open with great force. To "gently" pull the components apart, always look under the silicon tabs for hidden screws! The silicon tabs, under the plastic base are (my guess) part the fire safety design of the machine.
This is (in my opinion) a pretty ugly machine, but the design is coherent, and I appreciate that more having held glazed over the various components for many hours.
VIVISECTION: machinaKafe
The machine I will be "vivisecting" is a Toastess espresso machine hybrid.
Like an espresso machine, it comes with:
-portafilter
-filter
-carafe
-steam wand
-trough
-trough filter
But it functions different from espresso machine:
-the filter is much much larger than a typical espresso filter. The amount of coffee placed the filter well exceeds the amount of four espressos.
-the coffee produced is more Americano, less Espresso. There is no "espresso option", only "make coffee" option.
-the machine itself does not control the time flow of water filtering through the coffee, you the user does.
-the steam wand does not come with a timer, nor a gauge to control flow.
-the carafe is much larger than a single or double espresso cup. It holds roughly 1 cup of fluid.
-its all or nothing function in this machine.
Below are photos of the machine.
Like an espresso machine, it comes with:
-portafilter
-filter
-carafe
-steam wand
-trough
-trough filter
But it functions different from espresso machine:
-the filter is much much larger than a typical espresso filter. The amount of coffee placed the filter well exceeds the amount of four espressos.
-the coffee produced is more Americano, less Espresso. There is no "espresso option", only "make coffee" option.
-the machine itself does not control the time flow of water filtering through the coffee, you the user does.
-the steam wand does not come with a timer, nor a gauge to control flow.
-the carafe is much larger than a single or double espresso cup. It holds roughly 1 cup of fluid.
-its all or nothing function in this machine.
Below are photos of the machine.
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