Wayland resident and artist David Lang is showing in the Fuller Craft Museum’s kinetic sculpture exhibition “Machines and Mechanizations: Explorations in Contemporary Kinetic Sculpture”, February 1, 2014 – June 1, 2014
Public Reception with gallery talks, Sunday, February 9, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
What does it mean for an artist to compose motion the way he or she composes shapes and colors? Movement then becomes an integral part of the design and meaning of a sculpture—demanding a different kind of engagement with the viewer. Machines and Mechanizations showcases contemporary artists working in the realm of kinetic sculpture. Movement, motion, and sound are explored through a variety of motor-driven and hand-powered objects. Artists include Kim Bernard, Chris Fitch, David Lang, Erica von Schilgen, and Mark Davis.
Kinetic sculpture can be defined as any three-dimensional object that incorporates movement or implied motion for its effect. This action can be achieved in a variety of ways: electricity, wind, light, motors, human energy, and manipulation of materials, among other things. Each artist expertly incorporates dynamic motion as a means to elicit surprise, curiosity, and connection with the viewer. The effect of motion is creatively heightened by other artistic elements like color, form, causation, material, and narrative that together engage us in profound ways. The participatory relationship between kinetic sculpture and the viewer offers a singular opportunity for viewers to engage with the work on an immediate level. The space is activated and shared. And in many cases, the artwork relies on the observer to activate it, thus eliminating the one-sided nature of engagement and connecting object and viewer in a direct, meaningful way. The necessity of human involvement ensures the work ceases to simply exist—it relies, it invites, it connects.
Information on David Lang:
http://www.davidlangstudios.
Personal Bio: “For the last several years my sculptural work has become largely kinetic and interactive. It is often witty, profound and provocative. Much of it seems to exist in the realm of the unlikely. These days, my mind is in a whirl, trying to understand how to make very complicated things appear to be smooth, slow and coordinated.” (Self-introduction on personal blog http://davidlangstudios.
Education: Received a BS in Biology at Fairfield University in Fairfield CT (1964), along with concurrent studies in art at Paier School of Art, Hamden, CT (1963-1964, while studying at Fairfield). He also became a certified medical illustrator in 1967 from Massachusetts General Hospital- School of Medical Illustration, Boston, MA.
Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Thursday 5:00 – 9:00 pm
New England’s home for contemporary craft
See more images from of sculptures from the exhibit at http://fullercraft.org/press/
