Todays art world has so many prototypes and upgrades of what we used to have, even though I think it all does and means the same thing.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Journal #2
The article I chose from cabinet magazine is called "The Origins of Cyber Space" written by Carolyn De La Pena. This piece is especially interesting to me because it explains how American workout equipment was born. The very first machines were first built by a Swedish Physician named Gustav Zander's at his institute in Stockholm which was founded in the late nineteenth century. He invented a machine called the mechanical horse which imitates the StairMaster, which is what we have today. One of the amusing inventions he made was the first ab working machine, which was called the stomach-ab punching apparatus, the title speaks for itself. His inventions were made in the nineteenth century and were eventually immigrated to the US in the early twentieth century. What we have now are the prototypes of his inventions. I really enjoy working out once in a while so this was a very interesting piece for me, also I don't think many people would even wonder where all the ideas and equipment we have now came from, and how basic they really were. His institute primarily treated male workers and children. Zander claimed that his machines were "treatment" and quoted that it was "a preventative against the evils engendered by a sedentary life and seclusion of the office." He argued that they could even heal people faster that doctors pills and potions, which I highly disagree with. As the twentieth century moved on, collections of his work were found at elite health spas and private institutions. Now days, many people are so worried about there physical appearance and what people think that they go work out, in my opinion, I think people should work out because it does make you feel better just as the article describes. I mean why not? I know a lot of people usually don't have time, but Zander even states that a massage every now and then improves muscle building, I don't think this is true though.
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1 comment:
Luke - so what do you think Cabinet is up to? The article clearly engaged you - the pleasures experienced are evident in your post. Do you think the exercise technology has changed - or is it just how it is positioned, how/where it is unfurled, who uses it? Would you say that De La Pena's article was about science or fads/fashion; the technological of the social? And again, what do you think Cabinet is up to? I appreciate your response to the article but to whom do you think the article was directed - or in what, if any, sociological/aesthetic direction?
Regardless, thanks for your engagement with the publication. I hope it was edifying.
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