Robert Wechsler

Vacancy

H 10" x W 12" x D 8"
Altered toaster
September 2006

Harness

Mouse, cage, wheel, music box (Brahm's Lullaby)
H 10.5"x W 8"x L 15"
September 2006

A mouse cage mated with a music box. The compulsive energy of a running mouse generates Brahm's Lullaby.

Beast (toy)

Colored plastic
H 1.25" x W 1" x L 1.75"
Installation dimensions vary
September 2006

A plastic toy animal whose anatomical profile reveals the geographic shape of the contiguous United States.

Fixed Wing Aircraft

Taxidermied parakeet, electric motor and propellor, wire, paper
Bird: H 2" x W 9" x L 16" (tether length approx. 4', Circle inscribed by bird approx. D 6.5')
September 2006

A taxidermied parakeet has been outfitted with an electric motor and propellor. Tethered to the ceiling the bird is limited to flying in circles. In its talons the bird clutches a banner printed with the words falling in love again.

Zebra Print

Ink
H .75"x L 1.25"
Summer 2006

Tiny zebra created by stenciling an inked fingerprint.

Applied Geometry

Digital Print (archival ink on photo paper mounted on aluminum)
H 44" x W 66"
May 2004

A circle made by following the natural curve in a line of shopping carts. Costco parking lot Goleta, CA. 6:00 am May 5, 2004.

Everything is coming up roses

Iron, T-shirts, ink
Iron (approx. H 7"x W 4" x D 5") is displayed with T-shirts or other burned cloth. Installation dimensions vary.
February 2005

The steam holes of a working iron were re machined to mirror the iconic aura of the Virgin of Guadalupe. When cloth is scorched by the iron an image of the Virgin appears in the burn. The text on the T-shirts (everything is coming up roses) accompanies the burns and refers to the Virgin of Guadelupe's first appearance when she caused roses to grown on a barren hillside for the lone peasant Juan Diego.

Sanctuary

Digital Print (archival ink on photo paper mounted on aluminum)
H 36" x W 24"
Glass fish bowl etched with Catholic blessing over Holy water. Holy water, goldfish
12" bowl
Fish with bowl NFS
February 2005

A common goldfish was released into the Holy water basin in a church. The fish was re-collected and housed in a glass bowl etched with the Catholic blessing over Holy water.

Watering Fountain

Digital Print (archival ink on photo paper mounted on aluminum)
H 40" x W 26"
May 16 - August 20, 2004

Drinking fountain altered to water a plant when the right handle is turned, but functions normally with left handle. UCSB, northwest entrance in South Hall. Brass pot, copper piping, pathos.

The best circular bike ever made, at UCSB, by a guy whose last name starts with W... or at least its it the top ten

Salvaged bikes, tube steel and yellow paint.
H 3' x Diam 12'
Spring 2003

Nine salvaged bikes were reassembled into a carousel formation. The bike is modular and can be dismantled and reassembled. It is normally left in public places where it can attract a variety of riders.

Economies of scale

Cast iron
26.5" x 26.5" x 1.25"
Spring 2005

A penny was scaled up and used to replace a standard manhole cover.

Walking Pennies

Pennies, sheet steel, cable.
H variable x W 36" x L 36"
Spring 2005

Penny pairs were spliced together in a way that allows them to roll/wobble back and forth. The penny pairs were then placed on a steel table hung by cable from the ceiling and leveled at chest height.