Gary L. Nickard (b. 1954)

1910 radio ensemble:

a. Crystal radio receiver 16 1/2” X 28 1/2” X 7 1/2”

b. Spark gap transmitter 16 1/2” X 28 1/2” X 14 1/2”

c. Power supply box 14 1/2” X 10 1/2” X 12”

d. Morse code key box 5 1/2” X 8 1/2” X 7

e. Power meter 8 1/2” X 8 1/2” X 6”

f. Cardboard box & flat with “Topsy Turvey” graphics & instructions

g. Cruciform antenna for the Alternating Currents radio, about 4’ X 4’ X 8”

In 2010, this description accompanied the installation and scheduled performances:

Topsy Turvy combines art, science and the early 20th-century epic battle between the adoption of alternating or direct electrical current to explore relationships with the afterlife, and challenge the common mythology of Thomas Edison as the “Wizard of Menlo Park.” Nickard will create a fully functional Edwardian radio room employing a period Tesla inventory rotary spark gap transmitter and a Marconi pattern crystal radio receiver, both tuned to the frequency of 1485 OkHz—the purported frequency of the spirit world. In his performance, Nickard will attempt to contact “Topsy,” an elephant electrocuted by Edison to prove the dangers of Nicola Tesla’s alternating current use to deliver electric power in the United States.

Nickard added that “the ‘Spirit Radio’ comes with a rather elaborate public performance and could include musical accompaniment by the Vorechestra….please be assured while it may not look like art, it is a carefully conceived conceptual artwork meant to provoke thought about technology and belief. If accepted I will work with you on contextualizing info/images so everyone can ‘get it’.” More contextual material can be found on his website, http://www.garynickard.com/projects/2010-topsy-turvy/