Client: Rail Yard Park

Overview

Shadow Light Lens is a diptych designed to filter sunlight through the stainless steel sculptures to produce dynamic shadows. The shadows act as kinetic images that change continuously throughout the day, month and year depending upon the arc of the sun. Once purchased, the sculptures will be mounted on a foundation of black mosaic glass tile. Dimensions: 15′ H. x 30’W. X 30′ D. Temporary placement in the RailYard Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Goals

This project evolved out of a previous commission. Installed in an east-west bias to capture sunlight that produces kinetic shadow images beneath the sculptures my goal was to produce a large-scale kinetic sculpture that had no mechanical moving parts. The kinetics derive from the moving shadows beneath the objects. The cascading, or segmented stepping of each piece of steel is what gives the objects a sense of motion. Mosaic glass tiles will be inlayed in the final foundation as with Sun Mask.

Process

Kevin Leary assisted with the complex layout of all the components. The pieces look as if they are curved, but they are all straight. In order to achieve the curved look without actually bending the steel, we had to calculate the precise placement of each hole on each piece of steel and where it would lay. If we were off by even 1/10 of an inch, it wouldn't work. The other great challenge was achieving perfect balance with so much weight given such dynamic shapes. These calculations required Kevin’s exquisite command of mathematical equations, which I then translated into the fabrication process. Friend and fellow artist Taylor Mott assisted with the welding.