Art-ikythera Mechanism
By Terry Poulos
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern-day rendition of the world's oldest computer, the real-life Antikythera Mechanism (c. 205 BC). To our knowledge, the world's first outright, true sculpture that honors the world's oldest computer. The Antikythera Mechanism was a hand-powered astronomical calculator/planetarium consisting of anywhere from 24 to approximately 30 interlocking concentric gears and cogs. It was the most complex man-made instrument ever made until nearly the Renaissance, a fact which demands rewrite on the capabilities of the ancients. The ART-ikythera directly connects Archimedes to the invention of the mechanism by virtue of the symbol for Pi being inscribed on the sculpture base. Also inscribed is a spiral glyph, gleaned from the real-life Archimedes Palimpsest. Another accoutrement is the "eye of Archimedes," a concave mirror which when illuminated casts the illusion of a convex magnifying glass. The shape of the base is a square within a circle, symbolizing how Archimedes "squared the circle" to calculate Pi to the second decimal expansion (3.14). ART-ikythera is an esoteric code generator with clues and ciphers leading to a unique scientific perspective. SPECS: Total of 23 individual pieces, including spot-welded antique and vintage cast-iron gears, cogs and sprockets from used farm implements, antique brass all angle inclinometer (late 19th century), antique padlock...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Terry Poulos Art
Aluminum, Metal









