Unveiled 2007

“Energy-Matter-Space-Time”
by Petroc Sesti

Sculpture consisting of a large transparent container filled with mineral oil, creating a whirling spine.

'Energy-Matter-Space-Time' by Petroc Sesti was unveiled in 2006. Photo: Einar Aslaksen.

Energy-Matter-Space-Time

  • Unveiled 2007
  • Materials Aerospace polymer, mineral oil and motor
  • Dimensions 225 × 150 cm
  • Artist Petroc Sesti
  • Where Show on map

Is it art? Is it science? Or maybe a bit of both? The British artist Petroc Sesti’s sculpture consists of a large transparent container filled with mineral oil. The striking feature of the sculpture is the movement that starts at the top of the container: A strong whirling spine - a vortex- grows stronger and stronger in a downward direction.

The material the sculpture is made of, and the technique used to create its powerful movement, shall remain the artist’s secret. However, some things may still be disclosed: The material used in the container was provided by a company that also has the American National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, as a customer. The energy that grows in the jar's center is caused by a turbine, powered by computer technology, underneath the sculpture. Thus, the sculpture appears like a mixture of advanced technology and art.

The sculpture Energy/Matter/Space/Time can be linked to the activities at the historic industrial site of Kistefos Træsliberi. The color-less mineral oil is perceived as water, and water was crucial to the wood pulp mill being built at Kistefoss. Furthermore, the vortex of the container may be perceived as a reference to the energy created and extracted from the waterfall just below the location of the sculpture. Raw organic power, especially related to water as a natural resource, is at the very core of both the wood pulp mill and Petroc Sesti’s sculpture.

Petroc Sesti Energy Matter Space Time 3
Kistefos EA Petroc Sesti Energy Matter Space Time 0009
FAA13 BC0 2 B40 47 E2 A3 BF ECD54 DA7 BA06 2

Energy-Matter-Space-Time by Petroc Sesti. Photo: Maria Sandvik.