kinetic sculpture
Art that moves
A kinetic sculpture is an artwork with parts that move—whether powered by motors, wind, water, or human interaction.
The movement is integral to the piece, not incidental.
Alexander Calder's mobiles are the most famous examples: balanced forms that shift with air currents.
The kinetic sculpture in the lobby rotates slowly throughout the day.
Toothed rotating machine parts
- pulleysGrooved wheels for rope
- leversForce-multiplying pivot bars
- motorsMachines that produce motion
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
linkages · cams · cranks · actuators · servos · springs · counterweight · fulcrum
Turning on an axis
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- swayRock back and forth
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- pivotPoint of rotation
gyration · undulation · vibration · flutter · glide · bobble · wobble · pendulum
Driven by air currents
- motorizedEquipped with engine propulsion
- solar-poweredEnergized by sunlight
- human-poweredOperated by bodily effort
- batteryPortable electricity storage
electromagnetic · hydraulic · perpetual · momentum · propulsion · turbine · generator · current
Capable of movement
- CalderMobile art originator
- installationProcess of putting in
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- exhibitItem publicly displayed
modernism · metalwork · craftsmanship · contemporary · avant-garde · assemblage · abstract · artistry
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- counterbalanceOffsetting force or weight
- tensionStretched or strained state
- center of gravityEquilibrium point of mass
suspension · distribution · calibration · poise · symmetry · asymmetry · cantilever · proportion
Involving active contribution
- responsiveQuick to react
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- immersiveFully engaging the senses
- experientialDerived from direct involvement
audience · activation · feedback · proximity · light-sensitive · engagement · playful · collaborative
gears
Toothed rotating machine parts
bearings · linkages · cams · cranks · actuators · servos · springs · counterweight · fulcrum · armature
rotation
Turning on an axis
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- swayRock back and forth
- spinRapid rotation around axis
pivot · gyration · undulation · vibration · flutter · glide · bobble · wobble · pendulum · trajectory
wind-powered
Driven by air currents
- motorizedEquipped with engine propulsion
- solar-poweredEnergized by sunlight
- human-poweredOperated by bodily effort
battery · electromagnetic · hydraulic · perpetual · momentum · propulsion · turbine · generator · current · inertia
mobile
Capable of movement
- CalderMobile art originator
- installationProcess of putting in
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
exhibit · modernism · metalwork · craftsmanship · contemporary · avant-garde · assemblage · abstract · artistry · Duchamp
equilibrium
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- counterbalanceOffsetting force or weight
- tensionStretched or strained state
center of gravity · suspension · distribution · calibration · poise · symmetry · asymmetry · cantilever · proportion · harmony
participatory
Involving active contribution
- responsiveQuick to react
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- immersiveFully engaging the senses
experiential · audience · activation · feedback · proximity · light-sensitive · engagement · playful · collaborative · accessible
- art formspainting, drawing, photography, music, dance
- sculpturestatue, sculptor, sculpting, bronze, marble
- yard decorwreath, garden gnome, lawn flamingo, garden ornament, bird bath
- contemporary artconceptual art, contemporary art, digital art, contemporary artists, modern art
- American SculptureMount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Balloon Dog
- kinetic artmobiles, mobile, hanging mobile, automata, whirligigs
kinetic sculpturemonumental sculpture
Oversized three-dimensional public art
bronze sculpture · marble sculpture · stone sculpture · classical sculpture · bronze statue
sculpture, kinetic, kinetics, kinesiology, kinesiologist, kinescope