Kinetic art according to the definition is an art that contains movement perceivable by the viewer or that relies on motion for its effect. While the definition explains the practical notion, it doesn’t emphasize the hypnotic capabilities of the art form. And though it comprises any medium, it incorporates multidimensional movement and often kinetic sculptures comes to our mind.
While we often think of motion driven artwork as the only examples of the art from, in reality, there is another end to the spectrum of kinetic art –apparent movement. In the 1950s the term “apparent movement” was coined by art historians to encompass any sculptural artwork with moving parts. Instead, Op Art is used to describe kinetic art that relies on perceivable movement through optical illusion.
For this project I wanted to merge the both ends of the spectrum of kinetic art into one where I can show op art in real movement. To begin with, I started with “apparent movement” and dived into exploring Moiré patterns - A Moiré (the name derives from a French word for “watered.”) pattern is an interference pattern produced by overlaying similar but slightly offset templates which often includes mathematical and geometrical calculations. I started with the basic elements of design – dots, lines and shapes and made some exploratory patterns in 2-dimension. In the movement of the two patterns there is a point where both the pattern mixes to become a solid and doesn’t let the light pass through it which is like an eclipse.
Explorations with Moire pattern:
After exploring the pattern for the first end of the spectrum – apparent movement, I took those patterns to the z space i.e. 3rd dimension to get the real movement. Also, to achieve that different materials like OHP sheets, Acrylic sheets, metal sheets and different kind of fabrics were explored.
The very form and attributes of eclipse like- arrangement, lights and shadows, reflections and the interaction between them i.e. the overall play of the celestial bodies during the eclipse has inspired me to convert ideas into prototypes.
THEME BOARD
Prototypes:
Planets re-imagined into cubes and revolving to form eclipse at certain points where they don't let the lights pass through the patterns.
Interaction of two heavenly bodies
Arrangement of Saturn and its moons
Surface of the moon (other explorations)
Reflections from the surface when two patterns interact. Idea is to exhibit this in a white void cuboid room with patterns or rotatory wheel in the center with light projected on them so that the reflections are seen all around the room like shown in the video below.
