The inspiration for this series of kinetic sculptures arose from a trip to New Zealand in 2019, where I attended the international craft collaboration, Collaboration NZ. Following the week-long event I toured New Zealand’s north island, eventually coming across Len Lye’s kinetic sculptures at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery & Len Lye Center in New Plymouth. Although Lye’s sculptures were small and electrically driven and designed to be indoors, they intrigued me enough to try a similar concept for outdoor sculptures powered by wind.

 

The spinning upper parts of the sculptures are set on stone bases to help bring them off the ground into visual range. Their mass, shape and crystalline nature helps to ground the movement above. The stroboscopic aspect of the spinning components produces a calming effect during lighter winds. The movement acts as a visual gauge of the wind and connects you with the outdoors.

The metal components begin their process of oxidation over the months and years to come.