Jennifer Allora, Guillermo Calzadilla

Ten minute transmission

2003

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In Tate Modern

Media Networks: James Rosenquist and Allora & Calzadilla

Free entry

Artists: Jennifer Allora born 1974
Guillermo Calzadilla born 1971
Medium: Metal, plastic, nylon, radio transmitter, aerials and microphone
Dimensions: Displayed: 2743 x 6096 x 3048 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by the American Fund for the Tate Gallery, courtesy of the American Acquisitions Committee 2012
Reference: T13698

Display caption

This work was inspired by artist Alexander Calder’s suspended sculptures, or mobiles. Another influence was Russian artist and architect Vladimir Tatlin’s unrealised design, Monument to the Third International 1919, a tower with a rotating radio station at the top.

The title of this work, Ten Minute Transmission refers to the period of time when the International Space Station (ISS) can be contacted via radio as it flies past. The ISS orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, but passes close enough to the antenna just twice a day. Usually the radio only picks up sounds of encrypted data packets sent back to Earth from the station. Two-way voice communication with the astronauts is now rare and needs to be requested in advance.

Gallery label, January 2019

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