Flock
Pacific Science Center
Seattle, WA
The
inspiration for Flock is my visceral response to groups of birds
turning in unison. Two hundred choreographed flaps fill the space
with a mysterious motion that travels from one end of
the space to the other, as if induced by an intelligent breeze.
This motion is enhanced by the faintly audible rustling of the
tracing paper panels.
I am both fascinated and repelled by the idea of controlling
so many individual objects, making them move according to my
will. It seems somehow futile to even attempt such control, yet
the paper flaps yield to this control and have done so without
fail since 1995.
Flock is a kinetic environmental sculpture designed for the
barrel-vaulted space at the Henry Art Museum in Seattle. Shown installed at
Henry Art Gallery. Purchased by Pacific Science Center, Seattle, Washington,
in 1995 for permanent display. Aluminum, paper, wood, digital electronics, step rotation motors.
33' long x 5' wide x 16' high.