ATLANTA.- Amid the lavishly blooming flowers and trees at the Atlanta Botanical Garden this summer an array of extraordinary sculptures come to life with Sculpture in Motion: Art Choreographed by Nature. Moved (literally) by the power of the elements, more than 25 kinetic sculptures from 16 different artists will be on display through Oct. 31, 2008. Each piece moves and shifts as a result of natural forces – air currents, water, solar power, sound waves, or human energy – forming endless compositions that change over time in perfect harmony with the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This important exhibition of kinetic fine art is the most extensive survey of outdoor kinetic sculpture ever held, and includes prominent kinetic sculptors working today in the U.S., Germany and Japan, as well as emerging kinetic artists. The art work is for sale with proceeds, in part, going to support mission-related endeavors of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Description of the Sculptures
Fascinating to watch, the sculptures evoke personal responses as varied as the artwork itself. The continual changes in wind-powered kinetics are mesmerizing, as they capture and give form to breezes that are also made visible by the leaves of nearby trees, yet using gleaming metals instead of foliage. Other forms of moving sculpture, such as liquid magnetics that defy gravity and multi-ton interactives that can be pushed by a toddler, simply must be seen to be believed.
Atlanta Botanical Garden Executive Director Mary Pat Matheson noted, “Sculpture in Motion explores the interaction of art and nature. These kinetic works of art connect to the environment in compelling ways: they are powered by natural forces; their large scale complements the spectacular gardens in which they are displayed; and they often interpret natural forms such as leaves and petals. The pieces are beautifully complemented by the Garden landscape, while the shiny stainless steel or metal surfaces reflect our natural world. Likewise, flora and fauna such as grasses swaying in the wind or birds diving in air, echo the movements of the sculptures.”
Group Exhibition and Guest Curator
The group exhibition is produced by sixteen artists (15 living), most of whom have created new work specifically for this show. Sculpture in Motion was organized in collaboration with Guest Curator Brigitte Micmacker, Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco. Micmaker notes, “I am delighted to collaborate with the dedicated staff at the Atlanta Botanical Garden to present the most extensive survey of kinetic sculpture ever held.”
The Garden’s exhibition, features a piece by the acclaimed George Rickey on loan from the High Museum of Art. Rickey helped pioneer the new generation of kinetic art and artists that focuses on the environment.
American-born David Fried, now working in Germany, utilizes a proprietary system to capture sound waves and translate them into movement. In his work, spheres resting on a flat plane come to life with increasing excitement as the volume of sound in the environment increases.
Jeffery Laudenslager of California and Susan Pascal Beran both work with super lightweight metals harnessing air currents to create moving geometrical forms.
Japanese artist Sachiko Kodama employs electromagnets and magnetically-charged microfine particles suspended in water or oil to create stunning and completely original moving sculptural art forms.
Sculptor Tim Prentice perfectly captures the limitless appeal of kinetic sculpture:
“The engineer in me wants to minimize friction and inertia to make the air visible. The architect studies matters of scale and proportion. The navigator and sailor want to know the strength and direction of the wind. The artist wants to understand its ever changing shape. Meanwhile, the child wants to play.” This art is sure to move you.
