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Art developed as an internationalmovement. Although the Movement identifies art created between 1920-1970,earliest evidence of man’s efforts to create movement in art date back toprehistoric cave paintings where artists used visual techniques to depictmovement, and the Nike of Samothrace, whose marble fabric is carved toexpresses the invisible force of wind on the figure. In the modern era,kinetics’ roots go back to the 19th century when Impressionist painters such aMonet, Degas and Manet experimented with accentuating movement of the humanfigure on canvas. Decades later Dada,Constructivist and Bauhaus Movements became historical precedents to KineticArt. Notable artists who influenced the Movement were Marcel Duchamp, JeanTinguely, Naum Gabo, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Alexander Calder to name a few. Theseearly 20th-Century artists sought ways to use real space, time and movement,explore new technologies, and to make social commentary. Kinetic Art wasformally established as an artistic movement in 1955 with the exhibition LeMouvement at the Galerie Denise René, Paris, France. Although the movement mayhave a defined time period, Kinetic Art has continued to thrive into the 21stCentury.
To be identified as Kinetic Art it must contain movement.Motion can be generated through natural sources such as air currents, gravity,and light, or through interventions such as mechanical motors, electricalpower, and human contact. Kinetics: Art in Motion presents contemporaryCalifornia artists that continue these investigations, and whose works reflecta variety of styles and modes of movement.
One style featured in the exhibition is the traditionalsuspended mobile, defined by Calder’s constructions. Presenting mobiles in theexhibition are artists Laurent Davidson and Jerome Kirk. A variation of the mobileis the stabilomobile. Along with Davidson, works by Catherine Daley and MartinMunson contain stationary supports for their moving elements. These works movethrough natural air currents. Using mechanical motors and electric power arethe works of Ned Kahn, Nemo Gould, and Thérèse Lahaie. Lahaie’s glass worksrepresents the pioneering kinetic and light sculptors who desired to integrateart with engineering and science. Using the modern technologies of computers,the internet and solar panels to create movements are works by CamilleUtterback, Chris Eckert, Mark Malmberg and Bruce Shapiro. And finally, theworks that require human assistance to move is also Ned Kahn along with MarkGalt, Martin Munson and Sean Paul Lorentz.
Outside the gallery are works by Ned Kahn, Moto Ohtake, andMartin Munson who again uses the wind for movement. Mark Malmberg’s kineticsculpture operates with solar panels.
Curated by Debra Lehane & Satri Pencak.
Featuring works by:
Catherine Daley
Laurent Davidson
Chris Eckert
Mark Galt
Nemo Gould
Ned Kahn
Jerome Kirk
Thérèse Lahaie
Sean Paul Lorentz
Mark Malmberg
Martin Munson
Moto Ohtake
Bruce Shapiro
Camille Utterback
This exhibition is generously supported by Eric and DebbieGreen, Resolution Capital, and Jack and Diane Stuppin
Location:
Museum of Sonoma County
425 Seventh Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 579-1500
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