Motion Everywhere!

Marji has spent a good part of the spring organizing my studio work space. I can't believe what a difference it has made! I should have asked her do this years ago. One of the huge benefits is a large increase in my wall space. When you specialize in kinetic wall sculpture, that makes a difference. It often takes a period of weeks to tune and test my sculptures. The more I have up at once the better I like it. I enjoy working with the sound and motion all around me. 

 A variety of things came together at the end of July resulting in my needing all of that wall space. There were sculptures on every inch of available real estate!

All walls were covered and Marji couldn't resist taking a video showing the visual impact of motion, everywhere!

There are 16 different White Water mechanisms in operation here at once in a variety of combinations including Avalanche, Falling Water II and  White Water. Notice how soft and melodic the sound is. A single White Water is a very quiet (although not silent) sculpture. I love the sound of 16 running at the same time. I also like the fact that they are all being well behaved!

In the Beginning • A Bicycle Chain in Wood

In the Wood That Works history (here) we relate the story of Marji's exploration of wooden machines in college. The favorite sculpture created was her oversized (yet operational) wooden bicycle chain and gear assembly. It was her initial interest that started me exploring the realm of kinetic sculpture. I wanted her sculptures to move independently. She suggested I give it a try. It took me a couple of years but I did, and now 40 years later I am still at it!

For years, parts of that original sculpture have been displayed on a high shelf in my gallery space but most of it has been in pieces stuffed in an old brown paper bag in the storage room. I asked her to consider refurbishing it, re-assembling the parts, making it operational, and displaying it in the gallery. This past weekend she did.

It is composed of about 10 feet of wooden chain made using Baltic birch plywood and dowels. Marji took it all apart, sanded everything and glued it together again.

It is now once again, together and operational. It is displayed on the entry landing coming into the gallery.

Operation isn't perfect. There are a few clunks now and then but still it has a great feel as you turn the lower gear and the chain transfers the power to the upper one.

When you come and visit the gallery, you can give it a twirl!

Anthony Howe • Kinetic Wind Sculptor

We first saw the work of Anthony Howe at the DeCordova Museum in nearby Lincoln, MA. They have a wonderful sculpture garden and his piece Rooster Rings was on loan. It was a wonderful piece. Colossal recently did a post on new work by Mr. Howe and we were again captivated. In Cloud Light is a visual fountain of water, with no water. 

In Cloud Light by Anthony Howe, Stainless Steel, 224"h x 104" w x 52"d

In Cloud Light is constructed of Stainless steel and stands 224" tall. His work is designed for outdoor installation and relies on the breeze for power. He, like David, incorporates optical effects to create hidden patterns, but in a very different application and material.

Octo by Anthony Howe, Stainless Steel, 204"h x 48" w x 20"d

 

In-Out quotient by Anthony Howe, Stainless Steel, 78"h x 76" w x 36"d

Shimmer is done and we get to celebrate!

It is celebration time again at Wood That Works. David has just completed the last of the Shimmer edition. All 95 have been made and 93 of those have been boxed, sold and shipped!

Shimmer is a well traveled design. We have shipped them to 25 different states and 7 other countries including France, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand!

We have two Shimmers left. This post is directed to those of you that have noted Shimmer is your favorite and you are hoping it won't sell out soon. It will! We have learned that we get flooded with calls right after a design sells out.  This is to give you a little warning! Here is a link to the info page here and the order page here.

 And once they all sell, we get to go out to dinner and celebrate!

Kinetic Fidget Machine

I love a mechanical do-nothing machine. Check out this beautifully crafted wooden "Fidget Machine".

I found it on YouTube and it is uploaded by phreda2. His profile is lacking but here is a link to his YouTube channel. He has created other kinetic machines worth a visit. 

 Enjoy!