Yuri Pattison’s “decay (americium day-date)” is included in “Display” at
@ehrlichsteinberg until august 31 2024.
“decay (americium day-date)” functions as an updated and artificial ‘candle clock’ using the synthetic element Americium-241, a modified geiger counter and an LED candle installed within aluminum ready tube. As the Americium-241’s alpha particles are emitted into the air, the modified geiger counter activates and causes the LED candle to erratically click and perpetually ‘flicker’. Americium-241, originally a by-product of the Manhattan Project nuclear tests, is now more commonly used in household smoke detectors. Decaying with a half life of about 432 years, here the Americium acts as a stand in for America’s shifting - and arguably, shrinking - geopolitical power. On the ready tube’s Y-axis (the vertical piece), engraved markings show an infinity and zero symbol, referencing a traditional candle clock layout. The LED candle, however, will never reach its zero point as it does not truly burn. A fake Rolex Day Date watch (symbolic of outdated symbols for power and success) hangs from the ready tube. Referred to as the ‘Presidential’ Rolex, this copy, replicated in China, serves as an analogy for changing global power structures and (western) societal anxieties.
Yuri Pattison
decay (americium day-date), 2024
80/20 Ready Tube aluminum extrusion, Americium-241 source (smoke alarm ion chamber), GMF Day Date 228238 40mm all gold tungsten weighted VR3255, modified Radiation D-v1.1(CAJOE) Geiger Counter kit, Nicker Chrome Deep 025, Nicker Vermilion 005, cast acrylic sheet, modified flameless LED candle, cables, power supply, time
13.5 x 13.5 x 13.5 in. (343 x 343 x 343 mm)
Photos: Evan Walsh
