Studio visit x Joseph O'Connell
11 days left
In the spirit of our playful culture and ambitious reach, we have designed and fabricated a monumental, kinetic sculpture that is powered by both wind and human interaction. The form of the sculpture sweeps through space, reaching upward to grasp and gather the universe into its arms. The Sculpture's mandate is to invite curiosity and physical engagement; the audience is then rewarded with a magical, interactive experience of motion, light, and color.
While both iconic and engaging, Chasing the Stars is designed to be a landmark feature that upholds innovation and contributes to a dynamic public environment. Chasing the Stars is the culmination of refined geometries, physics, material, technology, and human interaction. It draws inspiration from simple yet powerful machines such as sailing vessels, catapults, and windmills.
On breezy days, the six arms of the sculpture revolve on a linked axis, transferring angular momentum between one another. Should the day be calm, viewers may initiate kinetic action by pulling on the tethers at the base of the sculpture; this will set the kinetic arms in motion. Like tolling a heavy bell, the audience may pull the tethers several times to create ever-more dynamic results. During the day, the sun casts colorful shadows underneath the sculpture as the translucent colored arms wave overhead. At night, LED lights shining up towards the sculpture at small mirrors underneath the arms will cast glimmering light and shadows on the surroundings.
Made from painted steel, permanently sealed bearings, mirrors, and Koda XT, Chasing the Stars begins as a strongly vertical sculpture until it flares outward at its uppermost elements, branching out protectively over the audience and Plaza of Goodyear Recreational Campus. Appropriate safety considerations are included in the design to limit the force that can be transferred between the sculpture and the audience.
Size: 26’-5.5” Dia x 32’ H
Maverick Spirit is a monumental kinetic sculpture commissioned by Kohler Co. to honor the legacy of Herbert V. Kohler Jr. The sculpture stands 26 feet high and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fashioned from durable stainless steel using a novel laser welding process and measuring 8 feet in diameter, this colossal masterpiece is the result of extensive prototyping, new fabrication processes and rigorous testing - ensuring not only its aesthetic grandeur but also its flawless functionality.
The one-of-a-kind moving sculpture is a creative and technical marvel composed of 61 stainless steel blades, each representing one year of the late executive chairman’s service to the company. The sculpture creates and dissolves a perfect helix, opening and closing in an awe-inspiring design that suggests the tension between order and randomness, surrounded by more than 1.5 miles of trails and boardwalks.
Maverick Spirit embodies an extraordinary partnership between Creative Machines and Kohler, translating their vision into reality. Kohler's team conceptualized the sculpture, tree root panels, and glass fence, while Creative Machines executed the design, engineering, fabrication, and installation processes, bringing the entire vision to life.
Collaboration Artist: Mary Reid
Located outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, this monumental kinetic sculpture was inspired by the theme of migration which is one of the governing metaphors behind the architectural re-design of the convention center. The sculpture makes the connection between human and avian migration thereby reflecting Houston’s diverse population and the idea that people come to Houston to have a better future.
The sculpture is composed of two massive wings that beat continuously, creating a sense of progress and movement, which truly reflects Houston's cultural and spiritual associations with hope. The piece also represents the connection between the environment and the urban landscape which is a unique and beautiful part of Houston, Texas. The merging of the migration metaphor with a mechanical system embodies Houston’s unique integration of the natural world with the man-made. In addition, the intricate structure of the wings references Houston’s aerospace heritage. The massive scale and dynamic movement have turned the sculpture and fountain into an iconic destination of Downtown Houston.
