In Positioning Systems I, Pe Lang experiments with the surface tension of water, dispensing a precise amount of water onto a hydrophobic surface. The 21 x 21 grid of spherical droplets evaporate after five hours, after which the machine starts again.
This machine does one thing and one thing only, making it fall into a category of useless machines. They showscase the advancement in level of control using Computer Numerical Control Machines (CNC) to manipulate liquid water.
It is releveant to look at the history of fountains Water is essential for human life, and fountains have used water to be functional as well as decorational. As technology advanced, we showcased by making it more decorative.
AN EARLY example of a fountain, found in Mesopotamia, dates from around 3000 BC. It consisted of a series of basins which made use of a natural spring. A similar system is found in Greek and Roman remains. Mechanically-operated fountains became familiar during the 15th century in Italy. (Source: The Origins Of Everything, by Gordon Grimley, 1973.)