ANIMATRONIC EYES
The artist first produced a male version of eyes for his solo exhibition Make every show like it ’ s your last at Le Plateau FRAC-Ile-de-France in 2013 . Later , Gander produced a female counterpart , followed then by a pair displayed at a lower level on the wall , the implication being that these belong to children , and therefore creating a family lineage .
Oculus animi index presents a new occurrence of Ryan Gander ’ s iconic pairs of male and female animated eyes set in a wall . Following the movements of their surroundings with an expression at times surprised , quizzical or flirtatious , the eyes appear gendered counterparts : one with long eye lashes and slightly arched brows , the other with more pronounced eyebrows .
Seemingly following the movements of the spectator , the work reverses the traditional dynamic of exhibitions where artworks are being looked at by the public and not the opposite . An infrared sensor , located close to the entrance of the exhibition room , registers visitors entering . It sends a signal , triggering a special software that runs pre-programmed patterns ( it is also possible to reconfigure them ). According to these , the mechanical eyeballs and eyebrows on the rear wall move and produce various emotional expressions . The duration of the programmed animatronic movements is 25:31 minutes .
Oculus animi index , 2016 Plastic , animatronics 31 x 66,2 x 18 cm Edition of 2 ( RG 102 )
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