Cognition Kinetic Sculpture in NYC

Yesterday, David and I delivered his large, mesmerizing, free-standing sculpture, Cognition to An American Craftsman Gallery in New York City.

An American Craftsman has been displaying David's work in NYC for 20 years but recently landed some additional gallery space right next door to the Whitney Museum of American Art on Madison Avenue.

If you live in the NYC area and missed the open house at David's studio you can visit the gallery to see this unique one-of-a-kind sculpture in motion. The gallery is located at 940 Madsion Ave. just above 74th Street.  Cognition is on display in the front window and because it operates for 24 hours on a single winding, will be moving through the night. That is important in the city that never sleeps!

The gallery had a great selection of fine American crafts in wood, ceramic, glass and metal in addition to David's work.

If you decide to visit NYC and the gallery, stop back here and let us know about your visit.  Just a heads up though - there is on street packing on the opposite side- 2 hours and empty on Saturday AM.  It is regulated with those charge card meter boxes on the corner and if you don't get back to your car quickly with your receipt in hand, you will get a ticket- voice of experience here!

Kinetic Sculpture at Ashford School

Nearly two years ago a team of four 7th grade students at our local school saw my website. They were working on an Internet unit created by their teacher, Martha Hardisty. Mrs. Hardisty requires her students to complete a community service project and Michael Varga, James Potter, Ron LaMonica and Jordan Parent approached her with the idea of earning enough money to purchase a David Roy sculpture for the school.  The boys were impressed by the combination of science and art and felt that connection made it a perfect sculpture for the school. Two years later, as they are graduating from 8th grade, they have achieved their goal.  Last week at a school assembly they presented Fiesta to the school and helped me install it in the Main Office where it can been seen by students, staff and parents

Left to Right: David Roy, Jordan Parent, Michael Varga, James Potter and Ronald LaMonica at the presentation of Fiesta to Ashford School, May 25th 2011.

Michael Varga helping with the installation of the sculpture in the Main Office at Ashford School.

The group first approached me and selected the sculpture that best fit their goal.  They then did brainstorming on ideas to raise enough money to purchase Fiesta. It was at the presentation I learned that they had raised the money by offering a series of after school workshops for younger students at Ashford School centered on arts and crafts.  How appropriate.

I extend my congratulations to the four boys for completing their community service project in a unique way.  Their teacher Mrs. Hardisty also deserves recognition for encouraging community service and inspiring her students to strive to give back to their community.  I am honored to have one of my sculptures on display as a result of these efforts.

Michael Varga winding the Fiesta for the first time.  

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.

Small World....even in Kinetic Sculpture

The Internet and social media regularly remind us how small our world has become.  I received an interesting email this past week which circled it all back home.  It came from another kinetic sculptor, Chris Fitch from the Boston, MA area. He first found out about my work from Idea Factory in New Orleans and recently discovered that we are in neighboring states. We also learned that we come from the same home town and attended the same high school although at different times. Yes, it is a small, small world. 

Here are some examples of some of Chris' kinetic sculptures and, (because what is a kinetic piece without motion), a YouTube video of one of them.   

Spring • 2010

Sometimes Cube • 2007

Chris also shared that he, along with Arthur Ganson and Tom Haney, both noted kinetic sculptors, are part of a group show "Moves Me" opening April 28th at the Axiom Gallery in Boston. The gallery has limited hours so check the website before planning a visit. Below is the announcement for the show from their website.  Should be a great show and an opening worth attending. Marji and I are looking forward to seeing what is new in kinetic sculpture in New England.

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.

Food for the Creative Kinetic Soul

It is definitely inspiring to spend time sharing stories with others that love kinetic sculpture.  This past weekend (Oct. 9-10, 2010) was my first open house in fifteen years and it was a rewarding and motivating experience on many levels. 

Since the Internet has become my main face to the world, I seldom get to meet the people that own my sculptures. This is a definite loss because having discourse with others about my work, about their work, about the creative world in general is truly inspiring. Saturday and Sunday I got to surround myself  with people and together discuss so many topics. Marji and I extend thanks to those who came from both near and far to spend a few hours sharing the joy of kinetic sculpture with us. It is food for the creative soul!

Below are a few photos from the event.

Marji and I had a wonderful time. I expect we will not wait another fifteen years for the next open studio.  Join us then.