carsten höller: double carousel with zöllner stripes

german artist (brussels-born-stockholm-based) carsten höller is the winner of the enel contemporanea award 2011 for his work ‘double carousel with zöllner stripes’. based on the well known amusement park ride, two carousels are altered to move at an extremely slow pace in different direction. the leisurely speed allows the visitors to get on and off the ride, while their environment is altered through reflections and optical illusions. mirrors are mounted on MDF panels, casting back the flickers of the light bulbs and, in some cases, the geographic patterns applied to the surrounding walls.the experimental nature of the art stems from the scientific background of höller himself, who has a degree in agronomy (the science of producing and using plants for food, fuel, and other purposes) with a specialization in phytopathology (the study of plant disease). many of his works deal with the senses as the visitors become part of quasi-scientific experiments. 

people on carousel at carsten höller’s retrospective on show a the new museum in new york image © benoit pailley image courtesy of new museum 

image © benoit pailley image courtesy of new museum 

people moving slowly along the carousel image © benoit pailley image courtesy of new museum

see the designboom article on carsten höller’s retrospective at the new musem in new york here.