The Garden Feather series started as a single form in the shape of a feather. The form at rest is vertical, but rocks back and forth in the wind. The first feather design in the series was so light that it would tip over to nearly horizontal, allowing the wind to pass and thus avoid any damage. I have had it out two years now and it has endured 40+ mph winds. It is also so light that it will start moving in winds less than 5 mph. This is my kind of kinetic sculpture. I have recently made 6 more designs, each much more elaborate than the original, but operating in the same way. The amount they tip back in wind depends on how heavy they are and the size of rock I'm using for a counter balance.
The difference from this series compared to the others I have done is that the movement is one directional. There is a front to the sculpture and it must face into the prevailing wind. This way the design will rock back. The bearing also moves at right angles to the primary direction which allows the design to pivot left and right as well as back and forth. Some designs have twisted shapes to enhance this secondary movement.
I have also moved into more complicated forms some featuring figures like birds, others being pure design.
Weight is a big factor in this style so much of the form above the center of gravity is aluminum with iron rod armatures. The average height in this series is 6 feet, the design averages 4' above the center of gravity, i.e., the pivot point.
There is only one Quicktime movie which represents the movement of all the designs.
