Applied Kinetic Arts

I’ve been thinking a lot about stories and storytelling lately. Since completing my latest shadowbox pieces, which had a bit of a narrative, I began to think about stories and how they can  add so much to a piece of artwork. While I’ve never been known to be heavy-handed with narratives, each of these new pieces have their own open-ended story.

Each box is a snapshot from a lyrical tale with the action stopped mid-story. I allow the rest to be determined by the viewer who adds his or her own interpretation as to how the story  continues, and what the piece ultimately means. I always enjoy hearing other peoples’ viewpoints when it comes to my work. This adds another interesting level of interaction between the  viewers and myself.

The inside of each box is decoupaged with vintage paper and select found objects are incorporated to help direct the story.

Pieces can either hang on the wall or sit on a table or bookshelf.

“Sometime, Somewhere”

8 x 10 1/2 x 4 1/2

$475

The title was found in an old songbook from the turn of the century.

This beautiful handmade box was found by my brother at a flea market. It’s an old cobblers box and each compartment was filled with hundreds of small nails and tacks. The lid, which has become detached, was once held on by 2 leather straps and will probably show up in a future piece. I’ve also collected all the old nails, tacks and accoutrements to be used throughout my subsequent work.

“The Recovered Key”

9 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 4 3/4

$475

Another great old box with finger-jointed corners houses this piece. The figure’s dress is actually a portion of an old doll’s dress I found at an antique store. Usually I make all the clothes from scratch, but this one was just what I was looking for and guided the color scheme perfectly.

“In the Woods, but not Alone”

7 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 2 1/4

$425

This piece is decoupaged with paper from a publication of John Milton’s work in Latin. Collected on the banks of the Ohio River, the branches help provide the setting. The woodpeckers are from a humble collection of wooden birds I bought a couple of years ago at a flea market.

I’m always on the search for found objects to use in my pieces. Last week while in Philadelphia, I visited Sander’s Supply which carries mostly restaurant equipment but is a great place to find old junk. I’d been there a few times before but this time ventured to the 6th floor where they had a fire back in April ’09. Since the building is made mostly of reinforced concrete, it was pretty intact, but everything else, the floors, walls and ceilings were burned up. I found some pretty cool pieces in the charred rubble. The kind of pieces that are perfect for me- nondescript with a lovely patina. I could, should have, collected more.

Final cut of “Epiphany” Music by Tobin Sprout, thanks Tobin!

Final cut of “Epiphany” Music by Tobin Sprout, thanks Tobin!

I was at my favorite antique store in Lawrenceburg, Indiana a few weeks ago and found this great book on mechanical movements, gears, etc, etc. Of course I had to get it. I have a growing collection of these kinds of books. I figure if I can get just a few ideas out of a $10. book, it’s totally worth it. It also helps when I get stuck on a particularly complicated mechanism.

After many request, I have succumbed to having a blog. Actually this is going to be a great way for you to keep up with the goings on in my studio, and in my head. It will also give you a glimpse of the exciting things that are just over the horizon.

Here is a shot of me putting the finishing touches on my latest commission, “Epiphany”. It used to be call “In the Psychiatrist’s Office”, until the other night at a dinner party, someone suggested “Epiphany” – so much better, thanks David!

When finishing a piece, I have to work from underneath like this because the cams and levers are usually gravity assisted. In the early stages of construction, when I am building the mechanism, I work on the piece upside down.

I will be posting final images and movies of this piece soon, stay tuned……….

tom

I’m in the process of putting the final touches on my most recent commission, “Epiphany”. It used to be called “In the Psychiatrist’s Office” until last night when someone suggested Epiphany, which is a perfect title for the piece.
Here are some pictures to get you up to speed……..

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