Red Cedar Balance Form, 2020
Image 1
The opposing ends of Red Cedar Balance Form respond to air currents in conflict with each other. As the tail is pushed down and down wind, the head rises and is pushed crosswind. It rises and moves downwind, bringing the tail back up into the wind. Zoomorphically moving, Red Cedar Balance Form appears to be exploring and investigating the air current.
The autonomous movement of Red Cedar Balance Form continues my inquiry into material agency that began in Cones. Many of the following Balance sculptures explore the effect of scale on viewers’ perception of movement and Agency.
Materials: Red cedar, brass, nickel, tung oil.
Dimensions: 52″ x 128″ diameter
Image 2 | Red Needle
The long needle of Red Cedar Balance Form (Thorn) rests at 30 degrees from vertical, finding equilibrium only in still air, then responding to the slightest breath. As the thorn end is pushed down and around in the air current, the cupped end rises, catches the air and brings the thorn up and around, back into the wind. Thorn’s 8′ long needle uses scale to contrast gracefully paced, delicately measured movement, with significant reach and speed.
Thorn’s vertical axis makes the work more physically approachable than the horizontal movements of Red Cedar Balance Form. I wanted to experience how proximity could change the relationship between the viewer and a large unpredictably moving work.
Materials: Red cedar, brass, nickel, tung oil.
Dimensions Variable: 139″ x 236″ diameter
Video 2 | Pendulum Gallery
Like the narrow eastern arctic paddles or the poles used by early canoe voyagers, the long needle-thin section of Red Cedar Balance Form (Thorn) engages with its fluid environment. As the needle is pushed down and around by the breeze, the opposing large cup rises and catches the wind, driving the orientation back around, returning the needle into the wind. This is not a simple cycle. Outdoors, variations in wind speed and direction make the movement variable and lifelike
Materials: Red cedar, brass, nickel, tung oil.
Dimensions Variable: 139″ x 236″ diameter
Image 3
The movement of Thorn and other Balance sculptures depends on finely tuned balance and minimal friction. Bearings and hinges are made with machined brass and sharpened nickel wire.
Materials: Red cedar, brass, nickel, tung oil.
Dimensions Variable: 139″ x 236″ diameter
