Kinetic Sculpture Event • Adrift in Your Ocean • Brooklyn, NY

Do you live in or near Brooklyn, NY? If so you might want to put the following event on your calendar. There is a show at Wayfarers Studio located at 1109 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY opening on January 6th. Here artist David (Scout) McQueen will be showing a collection of kinetic sculptures inspired by writings of Vincenzo Gamba, the illegitimate son of Galileo. According to the show curator George Ferrandi it will include large installation kinetic sculpture components and beautiful brass work.  You can see a variety of David (Scout) McQueen's work on his website. The following piece was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's work.

Source: David (Scout) McQueen

Source: David (Scout) McQueen

Source: David (Scout) McQueen

I am fascinated! How about you? 

Additional show details: Dates: January 6- February 17, 2013
Opening Reception: Sunday, January 6, 6-9 PM
Gallery Hours: Open Weekends 12-6 PM or by appointment 

The Kinetic Art of Willem van Weeghel

I recently have been found staring in total concetration at my computer screen as I watch a video of the work of Willem van Weeghel. van Weeghel of The Netherlands approaches kinetic sculpture from several different directions including both wall pieces and free-standing work but the piece that has captured my time is made up of simple lines. I am mezmerized by the unfolding patterns in his piece title "Dynamic Structure 29117 2007-2010".

Kinetic Art - Dynamic Structure 29117 2007-2010 from Willem van Weeghel on Vimeo.

The pace of the video and the pieces is rather slow but it is worth the wait. The geometry that unfolds from computer controlled lines as they move is fascinating and relaxing to watch. The precision is truly something. Here are a few screen shots of changing shapes.

It is made up of 32 independent moving lines that seem to be carefully choreographed. He defines his work in the following way.

Movement is the central means of expression in my work. The changing structures that appear move in the transitional area between chaos and order, between variability and uniformity, between volatility and consistency. As a reconciliation of opposites.

There are a variety of videos on vimeo showcasing his work.  If you got some time to spare, visit the site here and check them out.

Isaac Newton vs. Rube Goldberg - Kinetic Fun

2dHouse takes pride in doing Rube Goldberg machines right. David and I are always fans of a good Rube Goldbderg contraption and I have shared a number here on this blog including......

• Rube Goldberg Contraption Page Turner by Joseph Herschner
• Rube Goldberg Inspires Another Machine - Melvin the Mini Machine  by HeyHeyHey
• Krazy Kinetics • Worth A Smile

But this new one crossed my screen via Colassal. It combines creative kinetics with skilled cinematography to create a hilarious short video well worth watch over coffee break.  Enjoy the work of 2dHouse.

2dHouse has clearly spent some time doing this. They have a whole section of their website dedicated to Rube Goldberg contraptions, some done as in house projects to learn new techniques and others as advertisements. All are incredible in their blend of ingenuity with motion. 

Vollis Simpson • Whirligigs and Whatnots

At age 93, Vollis Simpson has a few years on me but we've both been creating kinetic art for over thirty years. His style, materials and approach are very different from mine but I am fairly sure we'd have a lot of common interests to discuss if we ever meet.

Photo Credit Jeremy Lange for New York Times

Mr. Simpson was a machinist and, after he retired, he put his skills to use creating a farm full of whimsical whirligigs. His acrege in Lucama, NC has become an unofficial tourist attraction as people travel to experience the crop of kinetic sculptures growing in his yard. 

Photo Credit Jeremy Lange for New York Times 

The New York Times did a special article about him in 2010. In it, they refer to him as a "self-taught practitioner, now known by the dressed up names of outsider art or visionary art." Hmmm. Is that how they'd catagorize me?

The nearby town of Wilson, NC is working to create an in-town sculpture park for Mr. Simpson's sculptures.  An organization has been set-up to maintain the work and park for others to enjoy. 

Marji and I plan to go on a USA roadtrip sometime in the next year. Together we bicycled across the country back in 1972 and have wanted to revisit so much of it. We are researching sculpture parks and other sites of kinetic interest for us to explore. I expect we'll swing through Wilson and Lacama, NC and try to meet up with Mr. Simpson for a conversation.

Photo Credit: Big Bang Studio

Tim Prentice Writes "Drawing on the Air"

Tim Prentice is a fellow kinetic sculptor from Connecticut and I have always admired his work. His sculptural style is completely different from mine yet there is a kinship in love of motion. He has written a book about his work and creative career, Drawing on the Air, and it was recently released.  It is well worth adding to your kinetic sculpture literary library. I did. It is available here on Amazon.

I especially like this quote from the book.

"Making the Air Visible

The air around us moves in ways that are organic, whimsical, and unpredictable. I therefore assume that if I were to abdicate the design to the wind, my work would take on these same qualities. 

The architect in me studies matters of scale and proportion. The engineer minimizes friction to make the wind visible. The artists wants to understand it changing shape. Meanwhile, the child wants to play."

The book uses QR codes to connect images in the book to online videos of the sculptures in motion.

Yellow Zinger by Tim Prentice

Tim Prentice participated in the kinetic Art show at the Atlantic Botanical Gardens back in 2008.  The following video was created for that show and there is a great section with Tim Prenctice discussing his work. Many other kinetic sculptors including Kristina Lucas, Zachary Coffin, Geroge Sherwood, David Fried and Susan Pascal Beran discuss their work as well. Worth waiting for the download to view.