Carsten Nicolai's installation, “autonomo," is a captivating sound sculpture activated by black tennis balls shot from a commercial ball machine from which they ricochet in the gallery space. The balls bounce off the walls and hit large steel disks suspended from the ceiling, creating deep and penetrating sounds. Depending on the velocity and angle of the projectile, the sounds have a different frequency and tone. Though it is necessary to stand toward the back of the space to avoid being hit as the balls shoot out of the machine with ample force, the installation in essence turns the gallery into a self-playing instrument offering an endless array of possibilities.
