Keeping the pendulums swinging
A Kaeser SK 25 T rotary screw compressor with integrated refrigeration dryer is supplying the power behind renowned choreographer William Forsythe's art installation 'Nowhere and Everywhere at the Same Time Nr.2', featuring at the 20th Biennale of Sydney.
Widely considered one of the world's foremost choreographers, William Forsythe is recognised for deconstructing and reorienting the practice of ballet, with works which have moved beyond any identification with a classical repertoire, to a dynamic art form for the twenty-first century. Alongside and in dialogue with his choreographic work, Forsythe has also developed a diverse practice incorporating elaborate architectural, multimedia and performance installations. This includes the choreographic object, Nowhere and Everywhere at the Same Time which has featured around the world in a number of art museums and at a number of art festivals.
Originally created for a solo dancer and 40 pendulums in an abandoned building in New York, this installation has been continuously developed in contexts as diverse as the monumental industrial architecture of the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern to the historical setting provided by the Arsenal of the Venice Biennale.
William Forsythe is widely considered one of the world's foremost choreographers Courtesy the artist Photograph: Dominik Mentzos.
Suspended from Automated grids, the installation now includes 300 pendulums which are activated to initiate a sweeping 16 part counterpoint of tempi, spacial juxtaposition and gradients of centrifugal force which offers the spectator a constantly morphing labyrinth of significant complexity. Spectators are invited to avoid coming into contact with the swinging pendulums whilst they navigate this unpredictable environment. The suspended pendulums are activated by pneumatics which are powered by compressed air. Since conception through to the execution of each installation, the Forsythe Company has opted for a Kaeser SK 25 T rotary screw compressor with integrated refrigeration dryer to power this installation.
Compressed air users expect maximum availability and efficiency - even from smaller compressors. The SK series of rotary screw compressors from Kaeser go far beyond meeting these key expectations. Not only do they deliver more compressed air for less power consumption, but they also combine ease of use and maintenance with exceptional versatility and environmentally responsible design.
William Forsythe Nowhere and everywhere at the same time, 2015 Courtesy the artist Photograph: Dominik Mentzos.
At the heart of every SK series system lies a premium quality compressor block featuring Kaeser's Sigma Profile rotors. Developed by Kaeser, the Sigma Profile achieves power savings of up to 15 percent compared with conventional screw compressor block rotor profiles for a highly energy efficient solution. In addition, all Kaeser rotary screw compressor blocks are powered by premium efficiency IE3-rated drive motors (that comply with, and exceed, prevailing Australian MEPS regulations for 3 phase electric motors), for maximum performance and reliability.
The SK T models include an integrated refrigeration dryer. Installed in a separate enclosure to shield it from heat radiated by the compressor; this design approach enhances reliability. An automatic dryer shutdown feature further aids energy-efficient performance.
All SK series models share logical and user-friendly design throughout, with all maintenance work able to be carried out from one side of the unit for ease of use and service.
These have become key reasons why the Forsythe Company has continued to opt for a Kaeser compressor each time this installation has been exhibited. As Julian Gabriel Richter, Director of Production commented: 'We used a Kaeser compressor for the initial try-outs of this project. It functioned without any problems and was easy to use. As a result we have opted for a Kaeser compressor for each and every installation of this choreographic object. This has proven to be a successful configuration for us; we have never had any problems with the Kaeser compressors we have used, they are fast to service and, they are available worldwide.'
Part of the 20th Biennale of Sydney, William Forsythe's installation is open to the public from 18 March to 5 June 2016 within the Industrial Precinct of Cockatoo Island in Sydney, of which Kaeser is proud to be a contributing partner. A non-profit organisation that presents Australia's largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts festival, the Biennale of Sydney is a three-month exhibition held every two years, which has showcased the work of nearly 1,700 artists from over 100 countries at venues across Sydney since 1973.
...we have never had any problems with the Kaeser compressors we have used, they are fast to service and, they are available worldwide.
Featured product(s)
Keeping the pendulums swinging