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1992

Les robinets planétaires

MACHINES À COMMUNIQUER
CITÉ DES SCIENCES ET DE L'INDUSTRIE, PARIS, 12 JUILLET/25 OCTOBRE 1992

Sociological 

Paris (FR)

1992

Robinet planétaire La Villette Paris

MACHINES À COMMUNIQUER
CITÉ DES SCIENCES ET DE L'INDUSTRIE, PARIS, 12 JUILLET/25 OCTOBRE 1992.

Concept

An interactive installation, not devoid of humour and playfulness, its primary aim is to use a very simple device to make us aware of the new relationship with space brought about by the communication systems we now use on a daily basis.

Device

  • International telephone network
  • 2 communication diverters compatible with American and Japanese standards
  • A solenoid valve
  • A 4/32" copper tap
  • One galvanised iron bucket
  • One white arpeggio telephone set

For visitors to the exhibition, the installation takes the form of a diagram, drawn and signed by the artist, enabling them to visualise the path taken around the earth by his telephone call. The diagram also shows the positions of the various geostationary satellites that the call will use in its successive transits.

A white manual telephone set.

A copper tap fixed to the wall above a galvanised iron bucket with a drain valve.

A sign invites visitors to dial a New York number, which is then communicated to them. On arrival in New York, a call diverter automatically transfers the call to Tokyo. Similarly, the Tokyo call diverter forwards the call to Paris, to the Cité des Sciences.

After a few seconds, the call returns to the visitor. More precisely, to the water tap. The tap is fitted with a solenoid valve that commands it to open. The water escapes and flows noisily into the bucket. An automatic command stops the tap after five seconds. The operation can be repeated.

The primary aim of this installation, which is not devoid of humour, is to use a very simple device to make us aware of the new relationship with space created by the communication systems we use in our daily lives.

  • " Le robinet planétaire ", Jacques Béal, Le Courrier Picard, Amiens, samedi 14 décembre 1991
  • " Machines à communiquer ", Michel Collona d'Istria, Le Monde, 30 octobre 1991
1991 Geo Trouvetou Cou Picard
1991, Géo Trouvetou, Le Courrier Picard

 

LONG BIOGRAPHY OF FRED FOREST

Fred Forest has a special place in contemporary art. Both by his personality and by his pioneering practices which mark his work. He is mainly known today for having used one by one most of the communication media that have appeared over the last fifty years. He is co-founder of three artistic movements: those of sociological art, the aesthetics of communication and ethics in art.

He represented France at the 12th São Paulo Biennale (Communication Prize) in 1973, at the 37th Venice Biennale in 1976 and at Documenta 6 in Kassel in 1977.

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