The Great Calculation: Music Performance

Mark Glusker and Maria Mortati present projects focused on their collection of vintage calculating machines

The Great Calculation: Music Performance

Early calculators were unwieldy, noisy, smelly machines that required constant maintenance. Local mechanical engineer Mark Glusker collects them and museum exhibit designer Maria Mortati explores them. They will be in residence at SoEx to provide a series of lectures, interactive performances, workshops, and an exhibition focused on mechanical calculating machines. Work created by workshop participants will be on display along with the calculators Wednesday through Saturday.

Mark Glusker shares his deep understanding of these complex machines and their historic uses, contextualizing these machines and the culture around them within contemporary technology. The talk culminates with an live calculation performance by eight participants and a musical performance by Mat Dryhurst inspired by the calculating machines. Mat Dryhurst is an artist, musician, curator, and technologist who has performed at numerous venues throughout the Bay Area.