Applied Kinetic Arts

Here’s a look under the hood. Gotta love old cell phone chargers.

Fine tuning ‘ol sour puss today. I hope to have it finished soon ( hope to have a better title too).

Here is another video of the piece I’ve been working on.  I’ve added an eyeball to the mix.  Enjoy.

Today’s weird donation: mystery “health device”. Thanks Wendell.

Yard sale. I don’t usually go for these, but this one is pretty classy and the price was right. We’ll see if I can come up with something worthwhile to do with it.

Red-eye Jedi.

Its the little things in life….

If you are anywhere near San Diego this weekend, find your way to “Creatures of Industry” at Device Gallery.  I’m showing with Greg Brotherton, Jeremy Mayer, and Guillermo Rigattieri.  

Working on a back lit eye socket.

Self portrait for the day.

Here we go again…

Here is a quick video test of an ear-wagging mechanism for my latest piece.

I first became aware of this guy a few years back. A true hero of mine, accomplishing tremendous feats with the humblest of means. Enjoy his latest:

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.

My latest piece, “Wayward Calliope”, debued at Maker Faire last weekend, where it could be heard making funny and sometimes eery noises in Expo Hall.

Make: Magazine covered the piece on their blog, where you can see a picture of Mark Frauenfelder and a video of my friend Kevin Curry cranking away: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/ben_cowdens_wayward_calliope.html