Sydney Walton Park
Two Open Rectangles
Eccentric Variation IV
Triangle Section
by George Rickey 1977
George Rickey has several kinetic sculptures around San Francisco.
Rickey (1907-2002) was one of two major 20th-century artists to make movement a central interest in sculpture. Alexander Calder, whose mobiles Mr. Rickey encountered in the 1930’s, was the other. After starting out as a painter, Mr. Rickey began to produce sculptures with moving parts in the early 50’s, but it was not until a decade later that he achieved the kind of simplicity and scale that would make him an important figure in contemporary art. At that point, he began to produce tall stainless-steel sculptures with long, spearlike arms attached to central posts. Rotating on precision bearings devised by the artist, the arms were balanced so that slight breezes would cause them to sweep like giant scissor blades, tracing graceful arcs or circles against the sky. (From his NY Times Obituary)
It’s movement, which we obviously can’t see here, that makes these pieces. Static, and they’re nothing but odd looking antennae.
It must be fabulous to see in real life!
I’m reminded of television antennas, writ large, of course. Rabbit ears, we used to call ’em. All kinds of various configurations.
Re your comment on Ocala: There are a number of tables and chairs for people to sit and drink coffee, eat a sandwich, or relax all the while reading a book or magazine. I cut out the tables and chairs to focus on the Starbucks counter and declutter the image! 🙂