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‘Art in Motion’ kinetic sculptures [Video]

MB&F M.A.D. GALLERY

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February 2018


‘Art in Motion' kinetic sculptures

The mesmerizing kinetic and interactive sculptures by Swiss artist Ralfonso have been displayed at the Geneva-based M.A.D. Gallery.

Many watch brands look to engineering and art to find inspiration for their timekeepers. Someone who has mastered both and not delved into the world of watchmaking (at least not as far as I know) is the Swiss artist Ralfonso.

Swiss artist Ralfonso
Swiss artist Ralfonso

While his creations don’t tell the time, they do provide an artistic expression of kinetic motion. Ralfonso is a well-known powerhouse in contemporary sculpting, specifically for going beyond traditional sculpting and incorporating movement into his pieces.

We see that clearly with the ’Art in Motion’ exhibit, which has been on display at the MB&F M.A.D.Gallery in Geneva since January 2018.

Ralfonso Dance With The Wind
Ralfonso Dance With The Wind

I’ve always been a fan of the M.A.D.Gallery, which is the creative platform that host not only the MB&F Horological Machines but also all kinds of other unique pieces from around the world.

In other words, the M.A.D.Gallery is an extension of the MB&F concept, where new friends from the brand, like Ralfonso himself, are showcased to reach a broader audience.

Ralfonso Dance With The Wind
Ralfonso Dance With The Wind

Ralfonso’s kinetic sculptures are known for their environmentally interactive nature. A perfect example is the 10-meter tall ’Dance with the Wind’, which was commissioned for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The sculpture undulates with a gentle breeze, dancing thanks to the motions of a stack of five balls counterbalanced by a weighted sphere at the base.

Ralfonso KARO
Ralfonso KARO

The good news is that the artist has also made a smaller collector’s version of the piece, standing only 100 cm tall and limited to just 15 pieces.

Another example is the ’KARO’, which is the German word for rhombus, the geometric diamond shape. This 120 cm tall artwork - limited to just 10 pieces - reveals 16 self-balancing diamond-shaped elements forming an even larger rhombus.

Ralfonso Exclamation
Ralfonso Exclamation

Again, the slightest breeze or touch of the hand moves each rhombus back and forth in an unlimited combination of patterns. What looks very clean and geometric in a static state thus comes to life.

Perhaps the boldest yet least intricate from the exhibition is the slowly tilting ’Exclamation’. You guessed it, the sculpture takes the form of an exclamation point that looks as if it will fall over. But thanks to a clever weight system that’s never a problem. Standing at 80 cm tall, the Exclamation is limited to only 33 pieces.

Ralfonso Exclamation
Ralfonso Exclamation

These contemporary pieces of kinetic art are something to experience first hand at the gallery. Barring that, check out the video below.