The term "Relevator" is a made up word that I define as "a machine capable of  creating and displaying irrelevant information".

I began this series of pieces in the mid 1980's.  Originally the inspiration was my appreciation  of the intrinsic beauty of the electronic devices used to show numbers -- known as numeric displays.  (for technical information on how various numeric display types work click here) 

Eventually I observed people reacting to this work and formulated a working philosophy for the continuing series:
"These pieces are designed to generate and display irrelevant numeric information in an effort to satirize our implicit trust of electronically represented numeric information."

In each piece I attempt to design circuitry that creates nonsensical or random number patterns that move, blink, gyrate and mystify.  Reactions of viewers range from giggles to attempts to deduce the function to suggestions that they are to be used to select lottery numbers.

Each unit is given a model number and a sub-title.  Below is a list of Relevators that I have made in order of model number.  (Not necessarily chronological!)

My working process typically begins when I find the electronic display component - either in an electronic surplus store, or a mail order surplus catalog.  I test the part, or find the spec sheets so I can figure out how it works.  Then I design a control circuit which generally involves a microcontroller chip that I program the number "performance" into.  The physical form evolves from my predilection to working in acrylic and wood.  I try to create an aesthetic that resembles a Sharper Image product from the Twilight Zone!

Click on the images to see detailed information on each piece.