Elegance of Line: Kinetic Sculpture of José De Rivera

 

Infinity, José de Rivera. 1967 Washington, D.C.

      An abstract, linear sculpture designed by José de Rivera (1904-1985) is a landmark feature for the entrance to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The highly polished, welded-steel form is a prime example of kinetic sculpture since it rotates on its base once every six minutes.
     The project was awarded by the General Services Administration’s Art-in-Architecture Program.  Walker Cain, architect for the building, believed that the form suggested an “orrery” or mechanical model of the solar system, and was a perfect match to represent the collaboration between art and science.  However, this interpretation was not necessarily intended by the artist.  Instead, De Rivera encouraged unlimited explanations to accommodate any viewer’s imagination.  De Rivera stated “When you say something is beautiful, you’re saying that the relationships are beautiful.” The sculptor’s attitude is also reminiscent of a famous quote by Albert Einstein that “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” It is important to have the patience to stand for a few minutes and watch the changing linear relationships as the sculpture rotates.

Construction 140, José de Rivera. 1971
The Baltimore Museum of Art

      De Rivera created many abstract, linear sculptures that were simply entitled Constructions and identified with a number.  The entrance to the Levi Sculpture Garden outside the Baltimore Museum of Art is graced with stainless steel Construction 140. This is also motorized so that the form rotates very slowly. Once again, a patient observer is rewarded with elegant relationships of form that evoke imagination.

Reference:

Shayt, David. “Measuring Infinity: José de Rivera's Smithsonian Sculpture on the National Mall,” Curator: The Museum Journal, Vol. 51 no.2 (April 2008): 1-6.
http://amhistory.si.edu/docs/Shayt_Measuring_Infinity_2008.pdf (accessed July 20, 2013).