Drawn by the Pulse (2018) was filmed at the Harvard Astronomical Observatory and takes as its starting point the astronomer Henrietta S. Leavitt’s (USA, 1868-1921) research on the properties of stars. Leavitt worked as a ‘humancalculator’ at the Harvard Astronomical Observatory between 1903 and 1921 under the direction of Edward Charles Pickering. Leavitt discovered a rule for measuring distances in the universe through the observation, quantification and calculation of the color and luminosity of stars. Drawn by the Pulse is a silent 35mm film sculpture based on the flickering of those variable stars and on the images of the photographic plates with which Leavitt worked.
Drawn by the Pulse, 2018
35mm film sculpture, silent; 03:08 min. Images: Installation view at Tabakalera, International Centre for Contemporary Culture, San Sebastián, Spain, 2017. Photo: Mikel Eskauriaza © Rosa Barba
Images: Installation view at Tabakalera, San Sebastián, Spain, 2018. Photo: Mikel Eskauriaza © Rosa Barba
Drawn by the Pulse, 2018 has been on display at the following locations:
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2023
Wäinö Altnonen Museum of Art, Turku, 2020
Tabakalera, San Sebastian, 2018
Vistamare, Milan, 2018
Kunsthalle Bremen, 2018
Malmö Art Academy, 2018