Perpetual Motion Machines

One night I found myself reading an article about perpetual motion machines. For a perpetual motion machine to function perpetually, only one thing is necessary- to override the laws of thermodynamics. In other words, to be free from the natural forces that operate the universe. For hundreds of years inventors, dreamers, and con artists have pursued this end. Innumerable failures have somehow failed to dampen enthusiasm for overcoming the immutable laws of physics. Of course, I was compelled to paint these machines. 

I painted multiple perpetual motion machines. The first was entitled, quite naturally, “The World’s First Perpetual Motion Machine”. Each consecutive painting was titled “The World’s First Perpetual Motion Machine” because, the preceding machine had been found to be a hoax.

I would like to thank W. R. Grace & Co. and Valley Asphalt for their umwitting and at times unwilling participation in this project.

World’s First Perpetual Motion Machine, 2nd Trial Run, 1988, conte crayon on paper | 40h 32w

World’s First Perpetual Motion Machine, Coolant Injector Prototype, 1988

oil on board | 48h 24w

World’s First Perpetual Motion Machine, No. 7, 1993

oil on board | 51 h 63w