Muybridge LiveThe photos of these umbrellas have been on my computer for quite a while. I did not want to post them until I knew who the artist was, and that task proved elusive. However, today was one of those days that make it all worth while. I went back to the umbrellas, as you will be able to tell by the varying sky and took a few more shots. I also took the time to start knocking on doors and asking who was the creator of this whimsical, wonderful installation. Well, after a fashion, out walked the most dashing gentlemen to claim them. His name is Benji Young, and we had a wonderful chat.
Benjy was inspired by Eadweard Muybridge. The title, Muybridge Live, represents the concept that this is one umbrella caught on film. The staves in-between each umbrella represent the division between each frame of film. The sculpture intends to refer back to the medium of photographs, and what photographer doesn’t love the concept of referring media back to photography?
For those not familiar with Muybridge’s work he was an English photographer who spent much of his life in the United States. He is known for his pioneering work on animal locomotion which used multiple cameras to capture motion, and his zoopraxiscope, a device for projecting motion pictures that pre-dated the flexible perforated film strip. He began to build his reputation in 1867 with photos of Yosemite and San Francisco. Muybridges’ history in California was sealed thanks to Leland Stanford with his horse in motion studies. If you are interested in reading more about the horse in motion study you can find it here.
Comments
9 responses to “Potrero Hill – Umbrellas”
The umbrellas remind me of little satellites. Nice angle to include the Sutro Tower in the background. There is a statue of Eadweard Muybridge at the Presidio.
Good detective work! Will have to go to the link for more info.
That’s fabulous. The color combination is great.
You are a tireless researcher! Love that last photo!
Love the top photo with the umbrella against a cloud as though it could float away. Thanks for the extra info – I love it.
I appreciate that you waited to find out more about the installation before posting these photos. Now I will follow the link you provided.
Those would be cool to see wobbling in the wind.
That’s pretty great — I’ve never seen it.
[…] and in motion-picture projection. Muybridge was the inspiration for the umbrellas sculpture by Benjy Young. The horses galloping across the top of the pedestal are of extreme significance. His study of […]