Spinning Shaft

Alejandro Sina

22 January 1983

Metal, neon, microcontroller. Courtesy: The David Bermant Foundation: Color, Light, Motion

Spinning Shaft is one of a number of works by the Sinas that exploits Alejandro Sina’s development of a method for using neon lights with minimal amounts of wiring and power supply.

In Spinning Shaft coloured neon lights are attached to a shaft that spins at a constant speed. The lights are pulsed on and off in a number of computercontrolled pre-set patterns, in a cycle that lasts several minutes.

The light sculpture produces spectacular and mesmerizing optical effects. Works such as Spinning Shaft combine elements of kinetic and light art with digital technology to great effect.