Wessel Westerveld

I’ve been meaning to give Mr. Westerveld some ink (so to speak) for some time. Going by the pseudonym WEXEL, he makes spectacular devices, ingenious contraptions: A chorus from the clicks of mechanical projection devices, a music box that plays horns (shown at left). Then there is the SDSystem (Surroundings Defend System shown above)- a helmet with a very long visor, and built in headphones, the SDSystem allows the wearer to completely shut out all visual and auditory input from wherever they happen to find themselves. And you thought your iPod and dark sunglasses were enough to do the trick.

Though the link to his CV is currently a broken link, I don’t believe he has yet exhibited in the states. Lyons Wier • Ortt, Lehmann Maupin, anyone?