a still from ‘wave of matter’ by tommi grönlund + petteri nisunen, 2012 all images courtesy the artists

finnish artists tommi grönlund + petteri nisunen have developed a kinetic sculpture entitled ‘wave of matter’. this piece by the trained artist-architect-record producing duo is a mixed-media installation which exists as a readily visually decipherable object for the exploration of movement, sound and shape. this investigation is made possible by a square table-top resting soundly on a rectangular base. the perimeter of this table encircled by a slightly raised metal lip, containing the thousands of small ball bearings  which cover the surface of the table. these pieces roll back and forth as the square tilts from to the other over the span of approximately a minute. the effect is an ocean-like sound as the tiny metal pieces make their way across the smooth, square surface. additionally, the image of the shifting beads resembles that of the path taken by waves retreating from their forward movement onto the shore back into a united body of water.

the piece was on show at the international contemporary and modern art fair, the armory show at galerie anhava‘s booth from the 8th of march until the 11th of 2012 in new york city.

‘grönlund-nisunen – wave of matter 2012’ by tommi grönlund

grönlund + nisunen: wave of matter the work slowly tips from side to side

grönlund + nisunen: wave of matter the small balls roll down the angled table, gathering on the lowered portion of the piece