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Machine Makes Moving Magnets Through Sand Mesmerizing

For the last 25 years, Bruce Shapiro has been trying to capture art in motion. Using motors and magnets and CNC machines, his “kinetic” installations are featured from Switzerland to Australia. His “Sisyphus” machine is perhaps his most beautiful — using a flat circle of sand, metal balls, and computer-controlled magnets underneath, Sisyphus rolls intricate, Zen-inspired geometry.

The video above shows a 9′ diameter version of Sisyphus drawing over 12 hours. But sped-up, the mathematical precision really leaps out at you. [Here is a real-time video of the machine in action.]

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HT: This is Colossal

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