HARMONOGRAPH
In the Fall 2024 I built a Harmonograph drawing machine for the Artica festival in St. Louis, MO on Oct 5-6. A Harmonograph is a simple machine using pendulums (I used two lateral and one rotary) to move both a pen and a small table holding a piece of paper, to make beautiful spiral patterns. I first experienced one while working at Parts & Crafts ca. 2017 where another teacher had built one for the afterschool space. It was the perfect project for children to autonomously create their own designs and be introduced to the beautiful world of “math art”.
I believe every school, learning center, science museum and festival should have a harmonograph for the pure joy and creative wonder it brings people of all ages! Contact me if you’re interested in having me bring my Harmonograph to your event or classroom, or to commission a custom build as a permanent installation. Age-accessibility to arts is important to me as a youth educator and this is a great all-ages activity to enhance any event.
The photos below are from the Artica fest, my build process and bringing it to art market tables.
Thanks to Karl Sims for the build plan and inspiration.
Testing in the days before the festival
Using more than one pen creates a split effect
The Table Top Design: How?
The spiral on top of the table was made by swinging a bucket of paint from a rope above it. The trick is to add weight— I used two hammers— because the weight of the paint alone is not enough to create a desired effect.
Science Demos at the Farmer’s Market / Art Booth
It was one of my 2024 Goals to be able to build and set up a harmonograph table along side my art market booth, which I also started doing this year.
