Underground, beneath a giant sledge hammer, tunnels, turbines and busy workers are visible through flat screens and infinity mirrors laid on the ground to suggest that the stalled power turbines that run the city need a "bump start".
Three regular-sized lightweight sledge hammers are the tools for interaction. When you slam one down, a deep, low sound shakes the ground, feet, ankles, etc. The more simultaneously the three hammers are slammed, the higher the flames go up the shank. A stall at the top of the trajectory like that of a metal weight makes the interface that much more reminiscent of the "High Striker" carnival attraction. If they get the flames all the way to the top, the hammer head spins with fire, unfolds, and reflects shafts of light downward like an infernal disco ball. Strength and accuracy matter not-- it's all in the timing.
We'll need good barkers with German accents to engage the crowd into joining them as they give the three hammer-shlammers the count "Eine... zwei... drei... jetzt!" I can see them dressed as Rotwang from the Metropolis film, crazed in igniting a mutual obsession to restore power to the city and resume the status quo.
Ein Hammer (German for "One Hammer"), is a tribute to workers as one-- that with all of our grand ideas, promises, or sales of derivatives, nothing happens unless workers work... together.
More details soon on the project website at www.MutantVehicle.com/Ein_Hammer.htm
