Kinetic is a mid 19th century word derived from the Greek word kinetikos. The word kinetic means relating to motion. Kinetic art is an art form that relies on motion and includes some number of moving parts to achieve an effect. The moving parts will normally work with the aid of a motor, the wind, or even the manual manipulation of the viewer. Generally speaking, kinetic art covers a wide array of styles and techniques.
Kinetic sculptures are three dimensional. Like all pieces of this form of art, these sculptures involve movement or have moving parts. The first recognized kinetic sculpture dates back to 1913. It was called the Bike Wheel. It was produced by the French artist Marcel Duchamp. He was widely known for his contributions to the Dadaist and Surrealist movements. Kinetic art was later acknowledged as part of the Realist Manifesto including Constructivism in 1920.
What many have called the Golden Age of Kinetic art took place in the 1950's and 1960's. It was throughout this time duration that artists such as George Rickey and Alexander Calder sharpened the craft.
Theo Jansen, a Dutch artist born in 1948, is most effectively known for kinetic art making use of wind for motion. In 1990, Jansen started creating his so called beach beasts, consisting for the most part of PVC plastic piping. As the name suggests, these sculptures were put on beaches and they moved based upon the motion of the wind. These practically skeleton like art forms appear to nearly walk as the piping flexes in tune with the blowing of the wind. A much more eerie aspect of these pieces are the stomachs. This practically human appendage includes plastic bottles that could in fact save the air pressure from wind. They then launch it when the air is calm, allowing the sculptures to proceed on their own.
Among the more famous kinetic art wind sculptures is The Singing Ringing Tree in Lancashire, England.
Kinetic sculptures are three dimensional. Like all pieces of this form of art, these sculptures involve movement or have moving parts. The first recognized kinetic sculpture dates back to 1913. It was called the Bike Wheel. It was produced by the French artist Marcel Duchamp. He was widely known for his contributions to the Dadaist and Surrealist movements. Kinetic art was later acknowledged as part of the Realist Manifesto including Constructivism in 1920.
What many have called the Golden Age of Kinetic art took place in the 1950's and 1960's. It was throughout this time duration that artists such as George Rickey and Alexander Calder sharpened the craft.
Theo Jansen, a Dutch artist born in 1948, is most effectively known for kinetic art making use of wind for motion. In 1990, Jansen started creating his so called beach beasts, consisting for the most part of PVC plastic piping. As the name suggests, these sculptures were put on beaches and they moved based upon the motion of the wind. These practically skeleton like art forms appear to nearly walk as the piping flexes in tune with the blowing of the wind. A much more eerie aspect of these pieces are the stomachs. This practically human appendage includes plastic bottles that could in fact save the air pressure from wind. They then launch it when the air is calm, allowing the sculptures to proceed on their own.
Among the more famous kinetic art wind sculptures is The Singing Ringing Tree in Lancashire, England.
