THE RIPPER

James Capper, born 1987, is the sculptor/artist who designed this equipment, which is exhibited in Jesus College Second Court. Made from steel with electric motor, control lever, concrete blocks and cable.  RIPPER drags itself along to physically carve out or 'rip' up a path, displacing whatever may be in it's way,  I very much doubt if it will be seen in action in this location ! "It's a tool for making art," according to Capper, who has incorporated a control box which encourages the viewer's involvement in effecting marks on the earth's surface as it moves along. His other work called Hydraulic Walking  is in my journal for 22nd July '15 in the same location. I added the extra as there is a little bird looking up at the structure, probably wondering whether to fly up for a closer look. He was in that position for quite a while without moving. I don't think some of the visitors realised what it was there for. One walking past doesn't look up from her mobile phone !