Sisyphus 2.0

Created as part of a theatrical performance in New York City by the Nerve Tank, this sphere plays different bits of music based on the way it is rolled. Commissioned by Arts Brookfield and presented on the Grace Plaza in midtown Manhattan, Glory Road featured Sisyphus pushing this 6 ½ foot sphere. Composer Stephan Moore wrote a program to activate the internal speakers based on where the sphere was located in space.

As Sisyphus pushed the ball, the sound files played in a specific order, which required precision in the way the sphere was rolled. Once the performance was finished, the programming on-board the soundscape was altered for public interaction. The public was invited to step up and roll the sphere freely during open hours, and later the sphere traveled to two sponsoring festivals Playa del Fuego in Delaware and the Figment Festival in Philadelphia.

Aesthetically, the artists wanted to make a variety of metals appear cohesive. The strength, durability, and weathering of hot-dip galvanizing were key to the decision making process as this interactive sculpture is intended to be handled by many people in a variety of environments including a marble city plaza, the Nevada desert, and muddy Northeastern fields and city parks. As the sphere is open for use by the general public, the soundscape now plays segments of a composition which overall make a satisfying dance-music loop.

The artists intent was for the public to complete the artwork by interacting with it. The soundscape rewards users for sustained interaction and over time, a person can learn to play the sphere like a musical instrument. The designer/fabricator Melanie Armer stands with the newly completed project at The Works in Rhode Island prior to galvanizing (photo by Chance Muehleck) The sphere after dipping at the galvanizing facility Designer/fabricator Melanie Armer inspects the sphere prior to rehearsal for The Nerve Tanks Glory Road at the Grace Building in NYC (photo by Raymond Haddad) The cast of Glory Road (L to R James Face Yu, Robin Kurtz, Mark Lindberg and Stacia French) pose with the sphere in a press photo on Grace Plaza NYC (photo by Chance Muehleck) The sphere in action as Sisyphuss boulder in The Nerve Tanks Glory Road presented by ArtsBrookfield on Grace Plaza in NYC (photo by Raymond Haddad) The designer/fabricator Melanie Armer and performer Jenna Hoff stand with the interactive art installation Sisyphus 2.0 at Figment arts festival in Philadelphia PA (photo by Chance Muehleck) Sphere under construction at The Wurks in Rhode Island photo by Chance Muehleck