Tom Shannon loves the magnetic fields

Great. Just as I am promising myself to be more analytical and less effusive in my design and art posts, I find out about New York based artist Tom Shannon.

Because, what, this isn't some off the greatest installation art / mad brilliant science you've ever seen?

EARTH GLIDES AN HOUR time capsule, 1992

The round ends of this sculpture represent Earth; the length represents, proportionally, how far Earth travels along its orbit in the course of one hour. The lift magnets are installed under the concrete floor.

COMPASS MOON ATOM ROOM1990-1991

270 magnetic spheres, each 10 cm diameter. The magnetic spheres are aligned by Earth's magnetic field so all of the black halves face south. At the same time, the field of each sphere inter-links with the fields of the spheres surrounding it. Any motion of one sphere is transferred throughout the enitre array. The arrangement of the spheres is the same as the pattern of atoms in a crystal. People may walk through it.

SERENE IN SUSPENSE 1999

The figure is balanced and suspended by a fine line from her navel connected to a pole near the ceiling. The pole counter-balances the figure's weight, allowing it to move vertically. A strong magnet in her head aligns with Earth's magnetic field causing the figure's sex to face south, where the sun is, in the manner of a compass.

THE RAY 1986

Portrait of the Sun, Earth and the cone of energy connecting the two, in proportion.

He's done some crazy things, and has been around for a long time - the 1969 Moma exhibit The Machine as Seen at the End of the Mechanical Age was his first show. He was 19. He seems to be working now on a huge helium party ship covered in a spherical LED screen. Learn more in a comprehensive Art in America article.

Très cool, mais non?

*all notes on specific pieces taken from tomshannon.com.