gravitational rotator
2013
Format 1: 132 x 202 cm / 52 x 79.5 in, edition of 6 + 2 AP
Format 2: 67 x 102 cm / 26.3 x 40.2 in, edition of 6 + 2 AP
Hybrid photography, archival pigment print, aludibond, diasec, custom-made aluminium frame
âgravitational rotatorâ shows the worldâs largest centrifuge at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, considered the âmotherâ of all centrifuges. Centrifuge TSF-18 (its radius is 18m) has been used since 1980 for the selection and training of cosmonauts. It effectively simulates the downside factors of space flight such as longitudinal g-load, physiological microgravity, low cabin pressure, and the different temperatures, humidity, and gas composition of the cabin air. It can generate up to 31 times the force of gravity.
The artwork shows the entry doors of the round capsule where cosmonauts sit for g-force exposure. The work underscores the disruptive effects of strong g-forces and loss of orientation such as tunnel view and loss of colour vision.
