Art is subjective and sublime, even subliminal and subversive. Some pieces move you, others don’t. Then there’s kinetic art which is virtually always moving—literally, depending on which way the winds of appreciation blow. Thanks to an enthusiastic artist named Ralfonso, kinetic tradewinds are circulating across three continents and even landing in luxurious homes in the United States.
Kinetic art is described as sculptural constructions with movable parts, activated by wind, motor, pressure or other means—often utilizing variable elements like light, sound, color, vibration, electricity. This is dynamic interactive art, not the static wall-hung type people passively stroll by in museums. Kinetic art is both contemplative and visceral, evoking potent reactions which can be as tranquil as a reflection pool or as hypnotic as a lightning strike. Kinetic art gives as well as it takes.
The term “kinetic art” was coined by artists Naum Gabo and his brother Antoine Pevsner in 1920 but popularized by the mobiles of artist Alexander Calder and the kinetic sculptures of George Rickey. Kinetic art is typically displayed as large-scale outdoor public sculptures in parks, plazas, squares, gardens, corporate complexes or along lakefronts.
Swiss-born sculptor Ralfonso Gschwend (a.k.a. “Ralfonso”) is the chief promoter of the modern kinetic art movement. He’s an internationally renowned master designer of unique sculptures that interact with water, wind, electricity, natural environments, and observers. Each sculpture is inspired by nature utilizing mechanics as complicated as master watchmaking.
His wind sculptures range from two to 10 feet for private collections and exhibitions, and from 10 to 60 feet for public spaces. The artists’ sculptures have been exhibited or permanently installed in the USA, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and China (where kinetic art craft is most appreciated).
Now Ralfonso is taking the art form mainstream, making it more accessible by designing small-scale, limited edition wind sculptures for auction houses, museums, galleries, and especially private residences.
“In the 1950s, the kinetic art movement was established and widely driven by the talented artists Alexander Calder and George Rickey." says Ralfonso. "Today, there are very few kinetic artists who are known throughout the world, but there is a renewed interest in kinetic sculptures because of their innate connection to nature and their contribution to sustainability.
“I began my career designing kinetic sculptures for monumental-scale outdoor public art and now I’m creating small, indoor kinetic sculptures for private homes. This is very unusual. Normally artists start with small works, and then at the height of their career they are invited to create large-scale public art. I went the other way around.”
Obviously, Ralfonso aced metal shop in school. His 33-foot-high “Dance with the Wind,” sculpture commissioned for China’s 2008 Olympic Games agitates outside Beijing’s National Aquatic Center. His colorful, electric “ExStrata SMS and Internet Light Sculpture” (20 feet) at Tsinghua University also calls Beijing home. Helical “Moving On Up” (16.5 feet) spirals skyward in St. Petersburg, Russia. Stainless steel Twist (10 feet) shifts in the wind on Switzerland’s Lake Geneva. Tubus (a 50-foot-long tunnel which people can walk through) corkscrews horizontally in The Netherlands.
“We at Beijing MoCA are very proud to be the first museum in China to have acquired a kinetic sculpture (a small-scale version of “Dance with the Wind”) for our permanent collection,” says Michael Suh, executive director of the Beijing Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA). “I appreciate Ralfonso's truly original style, his clean, seemingly simple ‘art in motion’ designs—but most of all, I love the way his sculptures move so beautifully in the wind.”
The artist has some wind at his back as well. His scaled-down 19-inch prototype of “Dance with the Wind” was chosen for Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated auction in March. This mirror-polished, stainless steel version of the sculpture was crafted in 2007 and auctioned as one of only 10 created in a limited edition series. It sold for $18,750.
Recently, Ralfonso headlined The Art of Sustainability symposium to showcase how his kinetic sculptures respond to natural environments and how they can be energy-positive by generating electricity. Previously, he discussed his kinetic art inspirations on CNN International's Art of Movement documentary.
http://http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/01/28/spc-art-movement-wind-scultures.cnn
From his studios in Geneva and West Palm Beach, Florida, the kinetic artist is currently developing a series of eight to 10 small-scale wind sculptures, many of which will be ready by mid-to-late spring. One of his new sculptures is a commissioned piece called Flamenco.
“The small-scale series I’m creating is more gallery and showroom specific,” says Ralfonso. “But for private commissions, I will create customized sculptures that are unique and specific to a particular space. Whether it’s for a super modern home or traditional home, I’ll create the size, the colors, the functionality, the speed of movement for that specific environment—which is fun.”
And so a new residential trend is born—mesmerizing kinetic art for the terrace, garden, rooftop or backyard. These small-scale wind sculptures are transforming ordinary interiors into interactive sanctuaries (and conversation pieces) which can dramatically distinguish a residence. If you love the soothing sound of wind chimes, wait until you're in the presence of these kinetic sculptures.
One can virtually visualize the kinetic function from Ralfonso's artistic monikers. “Dance with the Wind” flutters to and fro guided by its dance partner—a stiff breeze. The new, red-hot “Flamenco” stands tall and upright with perfect posture, twirling deliberately in the wind like a bailaora's traditional Andalusian dress midsong.
Flamenco is an eight-foot-high, fire red sculpture commissioned for a Sherry and Tom Barrat, Singer Island (Florida) residents who desire a centerpiece to complement their expanded oceanfront terrace designed by Kona Gray of architectural firm EDSA. It is the couple's second kinetic art purchase.
“We love the way [Flamenco] will fit into our space and that it takes the eye upward,” says Sherry Barrat. “Living on the ocean means it is windy a lot of the time, so we were concerned that a kinetic piece would move too fast and be a distraction rather than an inspiration. We live in Florida so hurricanes also have to be planned for.
“Ralfonso came up with a design that dramatically reduces the wind resistance and will move slowly. It will have a lock-down feature so we can keep it from turning at all if needed. And in the event of an approaching hurricane, Ralfonso found a portable lift that he is modifying so we can move the sculpture inside.”
Fans of kinetic sculpture, the Barrats are fascinated by the genre's blend of scientific engineering and creative art, which they say has entertained them (and their guests) for many years.
“The lines are clean, contemporary and sophisticated,” says Sherry Barrat. “You marvel at how he makes the movements work. I enjoy art that conveys a bit of whimsy.”
Ralfonso is the president/co-founder of the Kinetic Art Organization, a global community of artists committed to promoting kinetic, moving and interactive sculptures worldwide (via exhibitions, symposiums, promotion, lectures, workshops). KAO has more than 1,000 members from 60 countries.
The kinetic art trailblazer suggests the world has become less passive and more interactive—phones are now computerized accessories; TV is no longer a passive viewing box but an interactive programming device; and even passive wooden blocks have given way to WiFi-enabled devices. So why not interactive art in and around the home too? “In our fast changing world, everything seems to want to become interactive," he says.
The winds of change are upon us, in part because of Ralfonso's and KAO's modern kinetic art movement—which is vying to take the United States by storm. If those winds keep blowing, kinetic art is one movement guaranteed to never stop.