I first encountered kinetic sculptures by chance at an art museum, and it was a moment of revelation. A realization that sculptures could move… so splendidly!
Kinetics and sculptures form an odd pair. Something that doesn’t gel well with a rational mind. We always imagine sculptures to be unmoving and stoic, not as something dynamic and in constant dialogue with the world around them.
But there’s a magical beauty about these moving sculptures, captivating you in this strange moving stillness. For me, they represent the wonderful union of art and mechanics. A seamless integration of creativity and precision. Let it be Calder’s Mobiles, Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest, or one of my personal favorites, Jason Krugman’s Firefly.
They always transport me into a meditative state, and I think there’s much we can learn from them. They teach us to exist in harmony with nature’s rhythm. To leverage and adapt to one’s surroundings and to embrace change. They serve as a reminder that adaptability and fluidity are virtues in a moving world. The ability to move with the dance of life can lead to beautiful moments of self-discovery and growth.
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, I extend my wishes to all of you. Remember, amidst the whirlwind of life, staying grounded and tuned in to the rhythm of your surroundings can create beautiful moments. (TL;DR: just be a kinetic sculpture, I guess?)