Hektor Works 2009-2002

Plot

What is Hektor?

Hektor is a portable Spray-paint Output Device for laptop computers. It was created in close collaboration with engineer Uli Franke for Jürg Lehni's diploma project at écal (école cantonale d'art de Lausanne) in 2002.

Hektor’s light and fragile installation consists only of two motors, toothed belts and a can holder that handles regular spray cans. The can is moved along drawing paths just as the human hand or old plotters would. During operation, the mechanism sometimes trembles and wobbles, and the paint often drips. The contrasts between these low-tech aspects and the high-tech touch of the construction hold ambiguous and poetic qualities and make Hektor enjoyable to watch in action.

Artist’s Book by Jürg Lehni (CH), with contributions by Uli Franke, Dexter Sinister, Laurenz Brunner, Alex Rich, Oskar Korsár, Anne-Lise Coste, Jonathan Hares, Karl Holmqvist, Laurent Benner, Cornel Windlin and Will Holder. This book showcases Hektor's works from 2002-2009.