Hopscotch

1989

Performances: Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA (Hopscotch)

Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC (Hopscoth: Stamp Stomp)

Hopscotch is a water fountain for children of all ages. It is composed of eight pressure-sensitive pads laid out in a ”hopscotch” formation, approximately one foot apart. These pads are wired to a computer, synthesizer, and a series of solenoid-activated water mist jets.

As people jump from square to square, they activate the jets and sound. At times the phenomena follow exactly the pattern “played” by participants, at other times the piece creates preprogrammed patterns. In addition, there is a riddle which when solved by stepping on the pads in a particular pattern, causes Hopscotch to respond with a dance of its own.