Sculpturesite Gallery is excited to present new kinetic sculptures by four artists: Jeff Kahn, Jeffery Laudenslager, Troy Pillow, and John Tyler, now on display and online!

Additionally, we are releasing a short video in our series Inside the Sculptor’s Studio, which explores the design and fabrication methodologies of these four accomplished sculptors who have devoted their art practice to harnessing the power of wind currents for the pleasure of all viewers and collectors. The video was produced by gallery owners Brigitte Micmacker and John Denning and edited by Scott Saraceno.

Jeff Kahn's current kinetic sculpture collection, titled “Unseen Forces,” explores balance and gravity and the way almost imperceptible air currents interact with them. “Gravity, something thought to make things fall, is the motivating force and what holds these kinetic sculptures together,” Kahn says. “The best part is assembling the finished sculpture and watching how it takes on a life of its own, often moving in ways I hadn’t anticipated,” he says.

Jeffery Laudenslager is a master illusionist. He tricks our minds with ever-changing geometries, and his kinetic works in titanium and stainless steel are animated, yet contemplative. The geometric shapes often juxtapose and interact in surprising ways, gathering speed then slowing to a hover. “It’s like watching silk," said Laudenslager during the interview at his studio for the video. “The weightlessness is part of the magic!”

Troy Pillow’s kinetic sculpture designs are influenced by his keen observation of nature: the structure of trees, the outer shapes of leaves, birds, fish, and the human form. Of the four kinetic sculptors in this group, he is the only one who incorporates color, which he painstakingly mixes to serve his purpose - adding a delightful lightness to the work and a pleasing pop to the garden or public space.

John Tyler’s work is well known to people who have followed Sculpturesite Gallery (formerly A New Leaf Gallery) for years, as the gallery has represented Tyler’s graceful kinetic sculptures for 20 years! Influenced by his spectacular, remote setting in the Santa Lucia mountains, he cuts, welds, grinds, machines and threads all the parts he incorporates into his sculptures using solar power. Tyler, who taught math for several years and has built a small aircraft from scratch, says his favorite subject in college was physics and therefore, “I get to apply my college degree to my life’s work.”

Seven of these sculptures are now on display on the gallery grounds, and four more are on display at nearby tasting rooms. Please call or email the gallery for more information about any of these artists or works, or visit Sculpturesite in Glen Ellen to see them in person!