Wind-Powered Kinetic Sculptures (SEO)

How to Create Wind-Powered Kinetic Sculptures Wind-powered kinetic sculptures are massively interesting even though they are not very well known. The peak of kinetic art’s popularity was in the 1950s and 1960s. Although kinetic art is still often used in large public contemporary installations, its popularity had declined by the 1970s. This article will tell you everything you need to know about these fascinating sculptures.

What are Wind-Powered Kinetic Sculptures?

Kinetic means ‘relating to motion.’ Sculptures are three-dimensional works of art. Kinetic sculptures therefore refer to 3D artistic objects which rely on movement for creative effect.

These sculptures may move as a whole or only contain moving parts. Wind-powered kinetic sculptures are just one form of what is known as kinetic art. Kinetic art is multifaceted. Different kinds of kinetic art are powered by wind, water, magnets, air or electric motors. Wind-powered kinetic sculptures can range from objects as simple as wind chimes to other more complicated forms.

How to Build Wind-Powered Kinetic Sculptures Building wind-powered kinetic sculptures is appropriate for people of all skill levels because of their variety.

1. Design Your Sculpture Use pencil and paper to determine what your sculpture will look like. Keep in mind that form and function are equally important. Decide how small or large it is going to be. Decide its location.

Decide how long-lasting you want it to be. Decide if it will be purely ornamental and used mainly to decorate a space. Decide if you want your sculpture to make a strong artistic statement. Your wind-powered kinetic sculpture will most likely fall somewhere between ornamental and very artistic. That will be your decision. Get creative! Remember that it is OK to make mistakes.

Creating a miniature version of a recognized wind-powered kinetic sculpture is a good first step for an amateur. It is generally important to take inspiration from acclaimed kinetic sculptures. For example, many upcoming and established artists have imitated Alexander Calder's kinetic

sculptures such as the one below. This present-day video demonstrates how to make kinetic art that is similar to Alexander Calder’s. It gives great tips for a beginner too!

[IMG] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27Mobile%27,_by_Alexander_Calder,_Tate_Modern.

JPG Mobile, metal, wood, wire and string sculpture by Alexander Calder, c. 1932, Tate Modern

Your design techniques can also range from very simple to complex. Using 3D design software is an exciting modern sculpture design technique. This technique guarantees perfect visualization. For example, you can use this software to see how complex sculptures rotate.

Here is a guide on 3D design software for kinetic sculpture design.

2. Gather Materials Decide on the types of materials you will need. You can use materials such as wood, metal, clay, rubber bands, wire, glass, fabrics, plastics, et cetera. Almost any material could be useful for your sculpture. You may buy these materials or use found objects. Found objects are ordinary objects sourced from your immediate environment such as paper clips, spoons and pans.

A common sculpting method is letting the objects you find in your surroundings influence or determine the design of your sculpture. This means that gathering materials could be the first step of building your sculpture if you would like it to be. Alternatively, you can design your sculpture and gather materials at the same time.

The main question to ask during the gathering step is, “How long do I want my sculpture to last?” The answer to that question will determine the durability of your chosen materials. For example, if you want your sculpture to be long-lasting and you would like to use fabrics, you would choose more durable fabrics like oilcloth and burlap.

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty's original color was copper-brown? The copper sheets on its surface reacted with the air to turn green over time. The effect produced is known as a patina. Patina can occur naturally or it can be chemically induced. Patina is an example of how sculptural materials interact with the environment. For this reason, another question to ask yourself as you gather your materials is, “Where will my sculpture be located?” Whether the sculpture will be indoors or outdoors should make a difference in the choice of materials.

3. Put Your Sculpture Together Put together your wind-powered kinetic sculpture after you have your final sculpture design and the necessary materials. You will need different kinds of tools depending on your design and materials. Some of these tools will be found readily in your house, for example, a pair of scissors. You may also buy some common tools like a hammer and nails. If you are a hobbyist or professional who plans to use heavier, more complex and more expensive tools more often, then it makes sense to buy them. These could include a saw, metal cutter, metal shears, a metal grinder, a ball gauge, etc. Otherwise, beginners could rent or borrow the tools that they need from a local store, studio or university.

In this video, metal artist Doug Boyd builds a wind-powered kinetic sculpture from scratch. You can adopt a few of his techniques according to your sculpting needs.

Where to Build Wind Powered Kinetic Sculptures You should consider the location of a sculpture before making it because all sculptures interact with their environment. This interaction is either aesthetic or functional, or more often, a blend between the two.

It is key to place wind-powered kinetic sculptures where they can interact with the wind. The size of the sculpture could also determine its location and placement. For example, indoor sculptures can be small and still noticeable and they may be placed in a wider variety of places.

Even when indoor sculptures are large, furniture and other objects in a house are easier to move around for the sculpture’s optimum placement. On the other hand, outdoor sculptures have to be in tune with nature which changes unpredictably.

Indoor wind-powered kinetic sculptures can be mounted on a nail on a wall or ceiling in a place that gets a lot of wind flows, like the porch or windowsill. Outdoor wind-powered kinetic sculptures can also be hung from branches or planted in the ground.

Designer and entrepreneur Joe Doucet created a wind turbine sculpture that transforms wind power into electricity that powers homes. Doucet's creation is a wall-sized kinetic sculpture placed against a wall of each house. This is an excellent example of a functional wind-powered kinetic sculpture.

Example of Wind Powered Kinetic Sculptures 1. Whirligigs A whirligig is a usually small object that spins either in part or whole. Whirligigs are often used as kinetic garden ornaments. They are some of the simplest forms of wind-powered kinetic sculptures.

[IMG] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirligig#/media/File:WhirlyStore.jpg

2. Wind Chimes Wind chimes are the earliest examples of kinetic art which originated at least 5000 years ago in Southeast Asia.

[IMG] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wind_chime.jpG

3. Anthony Howe’s Kinetic Sculptures Artist Anthony Howe creates beautiful and pulsating sculptures that move perfectly in the wind.

[IMG] https://mymodernmet.com/anthony-howe-kinetic-sculptures-wind/ (use one of the GIFs)

4. Strandbeests These magnificent wind-powered kinetic sculptures are the brainchild of Dutch artist Theo Jansen. Strandbeest means “beach animal” in Dutch. These sculptures actually walk in the wind!

[IMG] https://www.boredpanda.com/sculptures-that-walk-on-the-wind/?utm_source=google&utm_medi um=organic&utm_campaign=organic (use GIF or images)