Grunge Machines

“Grunge Machine” is the name I gave to an early electro-mechanical sculpture I made in 1984 when I had a studio in Silicon Valley. A broken, run-over-by-car, cassette boom-box called to me as I was “scavenging”. I felt like the damaged metal framework, abraded wires, cracked plastic should be memorialized in some way that could incorporate the still-working motor. I tore down most of what was left and built it back up as a different scrap form. Bright red LEDs became a theme against gloss black enamel lending theatricality. A custom electronic timer circuit I designed caused the motor to spaz out randomly. Each Grunge Machine is unique, though there have been some sub series such as the “Blasted Cassette”. I still make them.

Grunge Machine: Gaping Ghoul

Mixed mediums and electronics, 14 x 6 x 8 inches, 2006

120 VAC, on/off switch (orange push button), Eyes glow red (LEDs), mouth opens and closes every 10-15 seconds.

Grunge Machine:

Step and Repeat and Entanglement

Mixed mediums and electronics, 33 x 31 x 13 inches, 2024

Wall mounting, 120 VAC, on/off switch, red LEDs, motors, electronic timers.