Ellen Lake

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1. String Ball Collector, 2002, dimensions variable, steel, aluminium, motor, 9 volt battery, wool, cotton, nylon

2. String Ball Collector, 2002, dimensions variable, steel, aluminium, motor, 9 volt battery, wool, cotton, nylon

3. String Ball Collector, 2002, dimensions variable, steel, aluminium, motor, 9 volt battery, wool, cotton, nylon

5. String Balls and String Ball Collector being made in the studio, Mills College studios, Oakland, CA

6. String Balls being made in the studio, Mills College studios, Oakland, CA

7. Emergency Drinking Water, other experiments with motor, Mills College studios, Oakland, CA

String Ball Collector, 2002/2005, dimensions variable, steel, aluminium, motor, 9 volt battery, wool, cotton, nylon

The String Ball Collector is a small machine made out of metal that travels in a circle attempting to gather hand wrapped string balls placed in a circle on the floor.  As the machine successfully picks up certain balls, others fall out. Over time, patterns begin to form marking the successes and failures of the machine and charting the path of the String Ball Collector.  Ideas emerge about collecting, obsession, routine, expectation, and disappointment.