INSPIRATION
This piece of work is a twofold homage to nature, the seed form and the wind. In the natural world, the two work in perfect harmony, the seed having evolved over millions of years into a finely tuned wing. This harmony is present throughout nature, it is harmony that we humans strive for, and sometimes struggle to find.
‘My hope is that this Sculpture is a fascinating and peaceful work that points towards a simpler relationship with the world’
Kinetic Seed Sculpture was the result of six months research and experimentation. Following in the footsteps of the great American Artist George Rickey (1907-2002), I have used precision ball bearings and precise and delicate weighting to enable my work to be set in motion by the slightest breeze.
At rest the sculpture has a simple beauty and symmetry, when the wind blows it comes to life in an ever changing pattern of turns and oscillations.
The sculpture will revolve gently in warm air currents, and move more dramatically in strong winds. The sculpture feathers in the wind and constantly moves to ‘avoid’ the wind, it moves smoothly and silently at all times.
The movement of the kinetic seed sculpture is possible through the laws of physics that govern pendulums and compound pendulums and the use of precision housed ball bearings. Within each of the seed pods and the vertical shaft there is a double race bearing. This allows each of the seed pods to rotate in an angled plane 360 degrees whilst at the same time both seed pods can rotate 360 degrees around the central column.
VARIATIONS
Kinetic Seed Sculpture has evolved since it’s debut in 2012 with the first Limited Edition of 10 now sold. The first Edition can be identified in some of the images by the rounded wing tips. The latest Edition has a more angular shape to the wings and a slightly wider turning circle. The new Edition is limited to 10.
There are many variations of plinth height and plinth finish. The two materials I usually work with to create the plinths are Weathering Steel and Galvanised/Mordent finished Steel, both incredibly durable.
Weathering Steel (cor-ten) is a steel alloy which does not require painting and acquires a stable, rust-like appearance over time. It’s surface has a matt textured finish with a wonderful depth of colour which changes from a light orange to a deep purple over the decades.
Galvanised Steel with a mordent finish leaves a soft textured matt surface with a wonderfully interesting pewter/lead colouring that will darken when wet.
The ‘Kinetic Seed Sculpture’, my first piece of Kinetic work has had extensive field testing for over 6 years and has stood firm in regular storms and 80 miles an hour plus winds.
