Pulse Machine from Alicia Eggert on Vimeo.

This electromechanical sculpture was ‘born’ in Nashville, Tennessee on 2 June 2012, at 6:18 PM. It has been programmed to have the average human lifespan of babies born in Tennessee on that same day: approximately 78 years. The kick drum beats its heartbeat (at 60 beats per minute), and the mechanical counter displays the number of heartbeats remaining in its lifetime. An internal, battery-operated clock keeps track of the passing time when the sculpture is unplugged. The sculpture will die once the counter reaches zero.

Other galleries featured egg crate foam furniture by the industrial designer Roger Tallon. There was an incredible chandelier by Frederik Molenschot of lots of small mushroom shaped lampshades arranged on a swooping infinity loop.  Libby Sellers from London presented a variety of chess sets made from such materials as free weights and tree branches (see the one by Rolf Sachs in photo).  A great wall piece, aptly called The Clock Clock that uses programmed mechanical clocks to form a digital clock. 

Audi was the automotive sponsor, giving VIPs a lift to their next destination.

DesignMiami/Basel

T Magazine: “Design Miami/Basel Something for Everyone”

ArtInfo: “A Jean Prouvé homeless shelter and Frederick Kiesler’s transformer chair tempt collectors at Design Miami/Basel”