Move Me • Kinetic Art at Axiom Gallery

It isn't often that you can see the work of five kinetic artists in one place at one time but for the next month you can at the Axiom Gallery in Boston, MA. Last Thursday evening David and I traveled to Boston to attend the opening of Move Me, a show curated by Heidi Kayser.

The artists represented were Chris Fitch, Arthur Ganson, Tom Haney, Steve Hollinger and Erica von Schilgen. I blogged previously about the earlier contact by Chris Fitch and our unbeknownst shared roots.  The work was all very individual and different from David's but all of it did indeed move.  Power sources were varied but as always the joy of a kinetic show is watching people interact with the art work. Here is a sampling of some of the different sculptures shown.

Chris Fitch had two pieces in the show. Falling uses beaded chain flowing smoothly over cams to create an experience not unlike a rain shower. It is enclosed in a box and you peer into it and become entranced by an inner world reflected back through mirrors.

 

I was also intrigued by the motion of the loops dangling below the enclosed theater.

Arthur Ganson had two works on display.  If you haven't seen his work before consider visiting the MIT Museum in Cambridge. They have a fascinating display of Ganson's pieces on display. At the Axiom show the piece "The First Nobel Truth" is on display.

Below is a detail from Ganson's piece Machine for Softening Hardened Hearts.

Steve Holliger's work was solar powered. This piece is titled after Kwajalein, one of the Pacific Islands used for nuclear testing.

Erica von Schilgen's collection is very much a series of fantasy escape world's combining hand-cranked music box technology and sound with dream-like painted images.

The last artist in this show is Tom Haney. He had one piece in the show and  I haven't found a video of it yet but you should visit Tom's site to see an incredible collection of Automata.  He also writes a blog about his work. 

In addition to getting to see the work of these artists, David also got to meet and talk with them.  And what do kinetic artists discuss? Things like double action pendulums, wear and tear, repairs, power sources, etc. Certainly a fascinating group of characters!

Show Details:

The Axiom Gallery is located at the corner of Green and Armory Streets in Jamaica Plain. It is on the ground floor level of the Green Street train stop on the Orange line. 141 Green Street. Jamaica Plain, MA. The show is open through May 28th.

Gyration • A Kinetic Variation

David has just posted a new design on his website called Gyration.  He will be sending out a mailing about it in the next day or two but we are letting the blog subscribers aware of it in advance. This is just a little heads up for those of you that regularly share our ramblings.

Gyration is a variation on Cognition.  Both are designs that use the visual interest of cog shapes in their motion wheels. Gyration is half a Cognition and the motion is less chaotic, more of a dance. Gyration is also wall mounted where as Cognition is a free standing design. It does share the long run time of Cognition clocking in at about 24 hours on a winding.

Making Things Move • A Book for Artists

Yesterday I received one of those emails from Amazon suggesting products I might be interested in. There was a link to this book by Dustyn Roberts.

Making Things Move • DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists and Artists

How did this not cross my radar earlier and Oh My! How knowledgable Amazon is becoming.  

Dustyn Roberts teaches a course at NYU called "Mechanism and Things that Move" in the Interactive Telecommunications Department.  She explains in a video on Amazon that the course is for artists that have no engineering or mechanical back ground but want to make sculptures that move. Not only has she created this written resource, she has also started a blog site to support the book.  It includes a resource area to assist you in completing the various projects included in the book.  

David and I are very excited to see this book. Nearly everyday David receives emails from folks all over the globe wanting help in creating kinetic sculptures. David has tried through this blog and his website to share some of his knowledge and to provide resources for others that want to create. He strongly encourages other to experiment, play, observe motion. It was through those activities that David gained the understanding of motion required to create new ideas. Through the years David has come to realize that being a skilled kinetic sculptor doesn't guarantee that you will also be a skilled teacher. Although David is pleased to have so many take inspiration from is work, at this point in his career he doesn't have enough time to both be a kinetic sculptor and learn to be an effective teacher. He doesn't rule that out in the future.  But right now he is busy designing, building, and creating.  

If you are inspired to make things move, please visit David's links page. There is a plethora of resources to help you get started. And now I have added one more, Making Things Move by Dustyn Roberts.

Moiré Patterns in Kinetic Design

I have often created moiré patterns with the wheels in my kinetic sculptures. Shimmer and Illusion are two strong examples. Artist Jakob Bue of Denmark recently posted this video on YouTube which takes the creation of these interference patterns to an entirely new level.

Here is a link to an interactive website that allows you to experiment with variables in order to create different types of moiré patterns. By using the arrow keys and mouse along with the controls on the screen you can create incredible patterning effects. You probably can't stay at the website for long before your eyes and stomach start going wonky!

Kinetic Music - Just Listen

This one speaks to the soul. It combines music, motion, wood, and the natural environment. Take a moment, relax and enjoy this video of an incredibly beautiful kinetic sculpture and sound experience.

Made my day. Pass it on.

Via/SwissMiss