Fischli und Weiss - Der Lauf der Dinge

"Your aim is to create a piece of work which will form a part of your developing practice, which is inspired by an aspect of the research undertaken into your given character or group."

I drew Fischli and Weiss. Knowing nothing about them, I began (began) my search at wikipedia where I discoverd that this swiss duo is most famous for their installation Der Lauf der Dinge (The Way Things Go). This installation follows the form of an intricate series of actions, in the spirit of Rube Goldberg: various causes and effects generate a long chain reaction:

Here is the work in its entirety:





With this project, Fischli and Weiss haven't really created anything new per se: Rube Goldberg first published his cartoons featuring humorously complicated devices in 1914.

Flame from lamp (A) catches on curtain (B) and fire department sends stream of water (C) through window. Dwarf (D) thinks it is raining and reaches for umbrella (E), pulling string (F) and lifting end of platform (G). Iron ball (H) falls and pulls string (I), causing hammer (J) to hit plate of glass (K). Crashof glass wakes up pup (L) and mother dog (M) rocks him to sleep in cradle (N), causing attached wooden hand (O) to move up and down along your back.

The popular Rube Goldberg machines have spawned thousands of real attempts at creating such complicated devices. The popular children's game "The Mousetrap" comes from the same idea, as does the early computer game "Incredible Machine."

Der Lauf der Dinge stands apart not only because of its scope - full 30 minute sequence utilizing all sorts of various materials - but also because of the various transitions of energy involved: gravitational, thermodynamic, chemical, centrifugal. All the traditional four elements are in some way or another utilized: Wind (through blowing air), Water, Fire and "Earth" (solid matter).

In addition, the objects within the sequence are divorced from their original purpose.