THE ANGEL MAKING MACHINES

The production of Angel Making Machines began in 1990 and continues to the present day.  The basic model involves a glass demi-john and a glass airlock  used for the production of wine.  The 'bottle' is then filled with warm water, feathers, sugar and yeast.  At this point in the installation, a gas is produced, which can be seen in this case, rising through the airlock, until its release into the atmosphere.  Generally they are exhibited on marble blocks used as low plinths, but also as cold buffers between the machine and the warm earth.   The Machines have been produced with many variations (see below), including a giant 10 liter machine, with airlock, placed in the bedroom of the curator, Edith Doove.  (AW "...And Here's One From Me.")

"Angel Making Machine (Saved)"    2000


This version of the machine involves a white balloon that expands to a diameter of one meter over the duration of the exhibition.  Seen here in the show 'Bubbles' with took place at CCNOA, Bruxelles, Summer 2000 and was curated by Edith Doove. "Section D'Or II" can be seen in the background.

"Angel Making Machine (Ubu)"   2000


Also shown in the exhibition 'Bubbles' this machine has a transparent tube emerging from, then coiled around the demi-john.  The angels can be seen spiraling downwards before they are released into the air, leaving a wet residue on the gallery floor - the machine appears
to be 'pissing'.

"Angel Making Machine"  1993

This was the second version of the machine, with especially blown air locks with tall stems.

"Angel Making Machine"   1994

Machine with balloon which will expand to a diameter om one meter in one month.

"Angel Making Machine (Red)"  1994

Is the devil red ?

"Angel Making Machine (Delayed)" 1999

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The following three examples were photographed in the exhibition, 'Il Luogo Degli Angeli' in Città S.Angelo, Italy, in 1999.  This machine was barren, unactivated and labeled 'Delayed"

"Angel Making Machine (Optic)"    1999

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In this work the airlock has been replaced by an 'Optic' - a spherical device used in England to measure a precise volume of spirit in a public house.

"Angel Making Machine (Magician)"    1999

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The neck of the demi-john in this piece has been covered with a silver coin which in turn has been covered with a square of black silk.  As the gas escapes from the bottle a rattling sound can be heard from under the cloth.

Three identical Angel Making Machines shown together in the exhibition "Strangers Aan De Stroom', at La Cloche, in Antwerpen in September 1993.  Antwerpen was the European City of Culture for that year.