Kinetic Commuting - or not!

For nine long months back in 1974-75 I held a job that included a hectic rush hour commute. That (combined with the fact that I had to wear a necktie) were two of the fundamental pushes behind the creation of Wood That Works. 

Today my commute is a leisurely 500 foot meander along a wooded path to my studio. I regularly race with white tail deer along the way. The commute is especially crowded during the spring when the fawns are still young and spotted. You can understand why I paused for a moment of thanks when I saw the work of kinetic artist Chris Burden entitled Metropolis II. It made me smile.  I'd love to see this sculpture in person.

Laudenslager Kinetic Sculpture

The kinetic sculpture field does have a lot a variety. Over the years my work has evolved into a very specific genre.  I have found that motion has so many variables, I need to limit things like material and finish in order to explore motion in depth.

It is exciting for me to discover the work of other kinetic artists that have integrated motion with entirely different materials, scale and results.  Here are some links to the work of Jeffery Laundenslager.  Very graceful!

Gears Galore

David has rarely used gears in his kinetic sculptures because wooden gears are just too inefficient.  In fact I can only recollect two sculptures - Anticipation from 1976 and Cadence from 1978 - that used meshing gears.  That said I love gears, collect gears and have used them in my early sculpture work and even as subjects of paintings and drawings. (I am going back to the 70's here!). I bring up gears because a collector of David's work recently sent in the link to this YouTube video of gear studies noting that he thought we would relate to it.  

 This is a fascinating set of odd gear pairings.   I wouldn't expect David to ever use them in his work but I can imagine a giant series on our front lawn!  

Thanks Mark Y from Boston!

More Music and Motion

A link to another fascinating example of combining motion and music arrived in my in box the other day along with the following note:

 I am a long-time admirer of your work (owner of JESTER). This made me think of you..........marcia;-)

and it included a link to Jim Bumgardner's online software toy "Whitney Music Box". Go here to experience "a musical realization of the motion graphics of John Whitney as described in his book "digital harmony". The site is a flash site begging for online interaction. Enjoy. I did!

While there follow the links back to krazydad.com. You'll find a treasure trove of software toys and puzzles that should make you smile.

Thanks Marcia and Jim!

Kinetic Cards- Great Idea

Here is a new idea for an affordable kinetic sculpture (but human power is required)! This link appeared on Dug North's blog and it definitely made me smile! It takes a little while before you get to view the motion in the movie but it is a great card concept.  Not appropriate for all card occassions though!

Thanks Dug!