Jessica Field, If it was broken, it would be simple, but it is not, 1999

Jessica Field, If it was broken, it would be simple, but it is not, 1999
Jessica Field, If it was broken, it would be simple, but it is not, 1999.

It is an electronic machine that takes advantage of the viewers expectation that pushing the buttons will turn the hourglass. The machine dashes this prospect by simply nodding its head rather then moving the hourglass. The piece is 5ft high, constructed in steel and uses a simple relay system to control the nodding head.

Courtesy of the artist.