“Stop and see an artwork powered by potatoes! This installation uses organic materials to generate electricity, inviting you to ponder hidden energies and the surprising connections between nature and technology.”
This installation, "Analogía I," presents an unexpected electrical circuit made from everyday objects. You'll see potatoes, zinc and copper electrodes, and electrical cables arranged on a simple wooden chair, all connected to a voltmeter. The work explores the potential for energy in organic materials, transforming humble potatoes into a power source. It invites us to consider the hidden energies around us and the often-overlooked connections between natural elements and technology. The title, "Analogía I," suggests a comparison or a parallel, perhaps between the life force in the potatoes and the electrical current they generate, or between scientific experimentation and artistic creation. This piece challenges traditional notions of what constitutes art and technology, creating a quiet, thought-provoking display.
- Artist
- Léon-Victor Dupré
- Medium
- Potatoes, zinc and copper electrodes, voltmeter, electrical cable and nylon monofilament, chair, wood, cloth, and text panel
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- Dimensions vary with installation
- Collection
- Contemporary Art
- Credit line
- Jointly acquired by The Art Institute of Chicago, prior gift of Adeline Yates; and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with funds contributed by the Committee on Modern and Contemporary Art
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The arrangement of potatoes, neatly pierced with electrodes.
The thin wires connecting each potato, forming a visible circuit.
The voltmeter display, showing the generated electrical current.
The simple wooden chair, acting as a pedestal for the experiment.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Analogía I, (2da. versión) — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Léon-Victor Dupré
1816–1879 · FranceLéon-Victor Dupré, a French landscape painter, followed in his brother Jules's footsteps, capturing the quiet beauty of the French countryside.
Further Works by Dupré
The Estuary Farm
1831 · Art Institute of Chicago
The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky
1855 · Art Institute of Chicago
Barks Fleeing Before the Storm
1870 · Art Institute of Chicago
Two Boats in a Storm
1870 · Art Institute of Chicago
Chariot Race
1876 · Art Institute of Chicago
Madame Léon Clapisson
1883 · Art Institute of Chicago
On the Road
1856 · Art Institute of Chicago
Alphabet de la Tête
Art Institute of Chicago


