Deconstructing Flight: An Homage to Étienne Jules Marey

Marey 2_flying cockatoo in harness machine on wheels below

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Deconstructing Flight: An Homage to Étienne Jules Marey

dimensions variable

2017

taxidermied cockatoo, antique mirror and machine components, bronze, leather

Several of Marey's experiments involved creating an elaborate harnessing system for a bird in flight. Tambours mounted on the bird's wings measured the amount of pressure created by the muscle movements of the wings; these measurements were transferred via wires to a graphing system below. Marey called this measuring system the graphical method.

I reimagined one of these experiments, using a taxidermied cockatoo as my flying bird.

history of natural history, history of technology, machines