The artwork titled “Apparatus Whereby One Potato Can Orbit Another” was created by Sigmar Polke in 1969. Belonging to the Conceptual Art movement, this piece is classified as an installation.
The artwork consists of a wooden structure resembling a small table or a stand. A mechanism is affixed to the top of this structure, possibly designed to enable a kinetic movement. Suspended beneath the table top, one can observe a system of wires and weights comprised of two potatoes, one positioned to orbit the other. This composition visually explores themes of balance, motion, and relativity, embodying the conceptual approach characteristic of Polke’s work during that period. The simplicity of the materials contrasts with the complexity of the concept, encouraging viewers to reflect on the nature of art and the interplay between objects and ideas.
