Applied Kinetic Arts

I had some fun in the studio over the holiday break.
Come see my latest sculptures and several more incredible artists this Friday night at the new Opiate galley in Old Town Fort Collins Colorado.
But for those of you who can not…

I’ve been a busy bee lately! One commission was for a pair of Bedside Reading lamps. I made a third to work through my concept. The client requested dimmable LED bulbs on this and a previous project. They work great! The Base of the lamps are from vintage film projectors and include the utility of the original drawer compartment. The brass, ball shaped shade pivots on two axis. The arms are made of Carbon Fiber and Phenolic with glass marbles. The arm is adjustable by the knob on the base. See more, including video here.

I had a group show opening at a new space Opiate Gallery in old town Fort Collins, Co. Dec. 2nd

I also completed a clock commission last week. I used glass stopcocks to mark the hours and a hemispherical mirror for the body. The clock is 10″ diameter.

Circle me! Sure enough… just as I got my personal profile on Google+ they introduced new page templates?! So I just built one for the studio. My apologies to those of you whom I connected to my personal profile… here is the one for the studio too

I finished a commission for a set of goggles, and went a little over board making 4 pairs. And I did another commission for a bracelet. The goggles are titled the Technician, Inventor, the Welder, and the Pilot. The two hand piece sculptures are a project I have been working on for some time addressing border violence issues at the Tx./ Mex. border. They are evil, with cock fighting knives, and Vietnam era flechette grenades. The thumb pieces are corn shucking tools. They include relics from Shafter, Tx. I intend to make a right hand glove in a very similar fashion. But not before Halloween this year. I hope to do a photo shoot with these wearable sculptures later this fall.

During my recent trip to the Big Bend region of Tx. I installed a commissioned sculpture I made for a child’s bedroom. Some of the parts used in it’s construction came from the area. I lived there from 1998- 2003. Funny to have them roll around in my studio for a decade only to have them go back to the same area I found them in. It is a great sculpture complete with custom switch plate.

During my trip I got to visit my favorite spot in Marfa, Tx.

Lineaus Lorrette’s Marfa Lights and Lamps.

He has a couple of my lights in the front window. And some more in his collection.
Learn more about the Marfa lights here

Marfa is a very special gem of an art town. I go as often as I can. See you again soon my friends.

What a beautiful 4 page article!

I am looking for help translating. Google translator is nice, but as expected it does not catch everything.

See the current translation/ hack on my page here

So Busy!…  Parenting during the summer schedule, A new commission project, and mouse orders! The commission is for an Orrery/ Chandelier/ Mobile and installs in August… more soon.
Here are a few images from the workbench…
The latest mouse is for sale at the moment….

I have listed 4 Wireless Computer Mice for sale! Get em while you can!

http://www.aaronristau.com/art/sale/rotobotmouse-sales/

Wireless Computer Mouse by Aaron Ristau

Recently one of my favorite sculptures had an unfortunate encounter with a gravity field and had to come back to it’s birthplace, my studio, for repairs. This gave me the opportunity to get some video of this incredible sculpture Frontier Cartography Droid

I was also able to get video of another sculpture from the same customer when I did a bulb change to Sweet Dream Tetrode

While I was at it, I did a quick video of one of the new wireless computer mice

http://melristau.com/blog/the-fabric-of-knowledge-a-kinetic-sculpture/

Aspen leaves spinning over a sunlit Colorado stream, and a diverse student community are associations woven into this suspended kinetic sculpture. The 25 x 50 x 6′ work is composed of stainless steel cable, tube and rod, and 920 variously textured aluminum panels. The sculpture folds and unfolds like a curtain of branches stirring a reflective texture.

Forever shifting, changing and unfolding: The Fabric of Knowledge

The Fabric of Knowledge
aluminum, stainless steel
25 x 50 x 6′
Colorado State University
Behavioral Sciences Building – South Atrium
2011

I am getting close enough to releasing the latest versions of my custom wireless computer mouse that I am now taking preorders. There is a 4 week lead-time. If you preorder one in March they come with brass business card, and 1 inch Aaron Ristau Studio buttons for $250. Specific character keys, colors, and other features are available. Custom mouse pads coming soon as well!

I finished populating the Archive section of AaronRistau.com

175+ sculptures from 1998- 2010 are listed.

I think this motor is from a very old barbershop sign. I welcome advice.
It will run for about 20 minutes on a full winding. Very low torque. I dipped and flushed the coil spring assembly in carburetor cleaner for a day instead of breaking that part all the way down. I am considering converting the motor over to roller bearings to see if I can get a little more power and longevity out of it. Now that I have cleaned it I can consider a sculptural concept that it will work in.
To see more detail on the disassembly and reassembly of the motor go to this page

New Sculpture “Fish Finder” from Aaron Ristau Studio

I was inspired by stream and lake trout fishing as a youth. I grew up spending time each summer fishing the streams and ponds around Turkey creek and Treasure Falls between Pagosa Springs and the Wolf Creek ski area of Colorado. I imagined a device that could process information related to the angler’s age old question, “Which lure to use today?” The question stayed with me. Fish Finder originated in 2001. I decided about 2004 that the sculpture had a great start, but was not complete. I’ve enjoyed finishing it this winter. Materials used include a bird skull given to me by one of my fishing buddies. He found it in a sunny spot in the dry spring snow melt. I did not tie the specific flys used in the sculpture but the ones I did put in I have used successfully all over Colorado. Fly tying techniques have been fun to use in making sculpture over the years. The bell jar has local plant matter in it. Other materials include stainless, aluminum, phenolic, carbon fiber, and brass. The reclaimed components came from several devices including a vacuum tube insulator, a lab glass bell jar, a portion of an MRI vacuum tube cathode. And a Rotary switch contact wheel from a mechanical city/ municipality water volume counting meter. Reclaimed from the Big Bend area of Texas. The original rack mounted aluminum case with door is from a 1950’s airport remote control relay panel, reclaimed from the Big Bend, Texas area as well.

Please see the HD video to fully appreciate this kinetic sculpture. Fish Finder complements a small body of related works seen here; Atomic and Marfa Light Repeater.

Fish Finder page on aaronristau.com

Additional build photos and video here

I was inspired by stream and lake trout fishing as a youth.  I grew up spending time each summer fishing the streams and ponds around Turkey creek and Treasure Falls between Pagosa Springs and the Wolf Creek ski area of Colorado. I imagined a device that could process information related to the angler’s age old question, “Which lure to use today?” The question stayed with me. Fish Finder originated in 2001. I decided about 2004 that the sculpture had a great start, but was not complete. I’ve enjoyed finishing it this winter.

Materials used include a bird skull given to me by one of my fishing buddies. He found it in a sunny spot in the dry spring snow melt. I did not tie the specific flys used in the sculpture but the ones I did put in I have used successfully all over Colorado. Fly tying techniques have been fun to use in making sculpture over the years. The bell jar has local plant matter in it. Other materials include stainless, aluminum, phenolic, carbon fiber, and brass. The reclaimed components came from several devices including a vacuum tube insulator, a lab glass bell jar, a portion of an MRI vacuum tube cathode. And a Rotary switch contact wheel from a mechanical city/ municipality water volume counting meter. Reclaimed from the Big Bend area of Texas. The original rack mounted aluminum case with door is from a 1950’s airport remote control relay panel, reclaimed from the Big Bend, Texas area as well.

Please see the HD video to fully appreciate this kinetic sculpture. Fish Finder complements a small body of related works seen here; Atomic and Marfa Light Repeater.

Fish Finder page on aaronristau.com

Video and better photos will have to wait until after I get back from a trip to Va.

I had the pleasure this Friday of meeting up with many fine sculptors (all members of AKA) at Benjamin Cowden’s exhibition at Float Gallery in Oakland.

From left to right: Aaron Ristau, CTP, Jeremy Mayer, Benjamin Cowden, Nemo Gould (myself).

Met Tom on Monday, then Nemo and Jeremy Thursday, Benjamin and Christopher Friday… WOW what a week

Thanks fellas be back ASAP

Two recent completed sculptures from Aaron Ristau Studio… Miss Piggy and Quadruped Floor lamp

Miss Piggy spacecraft stomps through the universe in her spiked heels, out of control, sucking up all the oxygen from positive spaces. Absorbing the positive energy around her, after processing it, she disperses it in a chaotic fashion. This suspended sculpture, built around the shell of a recycled spot light, has multicolored lights indicating “me, me, me,” and features a rotating projection from below, and a plasma discharge engine for propulsion. 45 Watts total power.

ARTIST AARON RISTAU SHOWCASED AT ART LAB LOVELAND

Gallery to Host Opening Reception August 13th

Loveland, Colo. (August 3rd, 2010) – Artist Aaron Ristau’s most recent artwork will be debuted to the public at his upcoming exhibition, “Aaron’s Art Lab 2010.”  Art Lab Loveland will host Ristau and his work at its gallery in downtown Loveland at 218 E. 4th St.  An opening night reception will be held on August 13th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

His new collection features technology recycled and re-crafted into sculpture.  More than 30 light and kinetic sculptures will be featured including a custom computer mouse, mechanical sculptures, a remote controlled spacecraft light sculpture, retro punk-style accessories, mobiles, floor lamps, wall sculptures, chandeliers and night lights.

Ristau’s art has previously been exhibited at several galleries throughout Texas and Colorado and featured at MAKE Magazine’s 2008 Maker Faire in Austin, Texas.

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  Ristau’s inspiration for light sculpture began with his exposure to the “Marfa Lights” phenomena while living in the Big Bend, Texas area artist community from 1998 to 2003.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.

“Aaron’s Art Lab 2010″ runs August 13 through September 4.  Gallery hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call Aaron Ristau at (970) 420-4523.

About Aaron Ristau

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.  For more information, please visit www.aaronristau.com.

About Art Lab Loveland

You’ve seen those empty storefronts as you’ve wandered the streets of downtown Loveland.  They look like buildings that need some energy to make them happy again.  That’s what Art Lab Loveland is all about.  We’re temporarily filling those wonderful buildings with art, innovation, music, smiling faces.

Thank you Speed Whiskers!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtopWAkSNV8

I am really looking forward to my solo exhibition opening this Friday!

Video will be available ASAP. Fort Collins based band Speed Whiskers will be performing, too!

Last week I helped install the latest Omni Globe at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. The building, staff, and collection is incredible. They have a wonderful 1950′s planetarium upstairs, complete with working Spitz projector.

Video of Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium St. Johnsburry, Vt. 6-23-10

Video of Regina mechanical music box Fairbanks Museum, Vt.

Aaron Ristau release pdf

For Immediate Release

Contacts:   Aaron Ristau                                   Heather Zoccali

Artist                                                                  Art Lab Fort Collins

(970) 669-1816                                                  (970) 217-7448

aaron@aaronristau.com heather@artlabfortcollins.org

artist Aaron Ristau showcased at Art lab fort collins

Gallery to Host Opening Reception July 2

Fort Collins, Colo. (June 14, 2010) – Artist Aaron Ristau’s most recent artwork will be debuted to the public at his upcoming solo exhibition, “Aaron’s Art Lab 2010.”  Art Lab Fort Collins will host Ristau and his work at its gallery in Old Town Fort Collins at 239 Linden St.  An opening night reception will be held on July 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., where local band Speed Whiskers will perform live.

His new collection features technology recycled and re-crafted into sculpture.  More than 25 light and kinetic sculptures will be featured including a custom computer mouse, mechanical sculptures, a remote controlled spacecraft light sculpture, retro punk-style accessories, mobiles, floor lamps, wall sculptures, chandeliers and night lights.

Ristau’s art has previously been exhibited at several galleries throughout Texas and Colorado and featured at MAKE Magazine’s 2008 Maker Faire in Austin, Texas.

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  Ristau’s inspiration for light sculpture began with his exposure to the “Marfa Lights” phenomena while living in the Big Bend, Texas area artist community from 1998 to 2003.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair, Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.

“Aaron’s Art Lab 2010″ runs July 2 through July 10.  Gallery hours are Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call Aaron Ristau at (970) 669-1816.

About Aaron Ristau

Loveland, Colo., artist Aaron Ristau has a fascination with creating art that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary function.  His whimsical mechanisms and

functional lighting assemblages are an intricate integration and redefinition of reclaimed components he discovers at yard sales, attics, garages and auctions.  With a professional background in industrial technology, interdisciplinary fabrication and repair,

Ristau currently works as an installation and fabrication technician at ARC Science Simulations, creators of the OmniGlobe®, in Loveland, Colo.  For more information, please visit www.aaronristau.com.

About Art Lab Fort Collins

You’ve seen those empty storefronts as you’ve wandered the streets of Old Town Fort Collins.  They look like buildings that need some energy to make them happy again.  That’s what Art Lab Fort Collins is all about.  We’re temporarily filling those wonderful buildings with art, innovation, music, smiling faces until a new tenant comes along.  When a new tenant decides to move in, we just move on to the next empty space.  Watch the empty storefronts for something new in Old Town.  For more information, please visit www.artlabfortcollins.org.

Check out my three new sculptures. Looking forward to my solo show at Art Lab Fort Collins July 2nd. with these 3 and about 30 other sculptures!

Atomic, Big Red, and Paducah Night Light

This weekend I am headed to an awesome trade show in LA for my employer ARC science simulations.

The AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo is where museum professionals go to learn, share, connect with colleagues and have fun!

I have started working with ARC Science Simulations, creators of the Omni Globe.  I will be doing production and installation on these incredible 3D projection display’s.

I am exhibiting my Rotobotmouse and a American Beauty Lamp in this group exhibition in Boulder, Co. May – June.

Did you see the mention in the latest issue of make magazine! , and the Featured Maker post today thanks to Sean Ragan, and all of the Maker’s Market team for the support.