Kinetic sculptures are three-dimensional pieces that are always moving with the help of mechanical devices or natural forces. George Rickey is one of the renowned kinetic art sculptors. Explore the engineering behind his kinetic sculptures before purchasing a George Rickey sculpture for sale:
Use of Pendulums
In addition to pivots and bearings, Rickey used pendulums to achieve artistic movements. He used modified pendulums with weights above and below the turning point of the main rod. Modified pendulums can achieve a longer swing duration when engineers add extra weight over the turning point. The period goes to infinity when the product of weight and distance above this point equals the one below it. Such a pendulum loses stability to become like a wheel. You can view this intriguing phenomenon when looking for a George Rickey sculpture for sale.
Controlling Weight, Balance, and Time
Rickey experiments with weight and distance ratios approaching instability to create slow, artistic movements. The forces starting the pendulum movement reduce significantly as the weight distribution gets closer to instability. As a result, a gentle breeze can move large weights.
Changing Rotation Axis
George Rickey expanded the sharp confines of motion in a plane with his kinetic sculptures. He experimented with adjusting the axis of rotation from the standard 90 degrees to 45 degrees. Rather than following the well-known flat arc seen when swinging, the ensuing route adopts a conical shape. Rotation through a cone creates a visually stunning effect.
Balancing Counterweight
Careful manipulation of a sculpture’s mass distribution is needed to achieve controlled responses. The overall weight of the linked sections must equal the counterbalance of the center part, and the artwork cannot be completed unless this component is large enough to accommodate a suitable counterbalance. The maximum size of the outer part depends on the amount of space available to insert weights inside the heavier inner unit.
Joined Parts
Counterbalancing and sturdy structural beams are needed to create kinetic art pieces. Rickey made the lightest units appear the same weight as the heaviest by using a basic box beam he made by spot welding two U-shaped pieces of steel together. Rickey’s designs require minimizing friction in the moving joints. Bearings, such as those found in measuring scales, have a very low friction level, but rain and strong winds can quickly erode or ruin them if the sculpture is placed outdoors. Rickey used ball bearings in outdoor pieces because they can withstand exposure to the elements.
The Building Process
Due to the nature of the balances, Rickey created his works of art from the outside in. He balanced the outside, lighter component of a two-part piece before attaching it to its interior partner, as the inner component must offer adequate counterweight to balance both pieces. He then fitted the shaft into a bearing capable of supporting the entire weight of the sculpture against the mounting surface.
Rickey worked with various forms and sizes to create unique kinetic sculptures.
He began with lines like those seen in “Atropos II.” He then proceeded to work in two vertical, horizontal planes, in pieces like “Crucifera IV,” which embrace shapes such as squares and triangles. Rickey’s advanced kinetic pieces include the three-dimensional sculpture of “Cluster of Cubes on Gimbal,” which stands almost three feet tall. More than 150 museums worldwide have his work in their permanent collections.
Find George Rickey Sculpture For Sale
Visit art galleries and exhibitions near you to learn more about George Rickey’s kinetic sculptures. Inquire about the gallery’s policies to determine whether you can purchase one of the Rickey pieces. Explore previously sold works and their prices to value the pieces on sale. Contact a commercial gallery today to learn more about George Rickey’s work.
