The idea behind the Mechanorgaic Garden was to create an environment
in which elements of the mechanical could be applied to organic form in
a combination of traditional garden or park elements (i.e. bench, sculpture,
pedestal, arch...). The "base" of the piece is made of poured, fiberglass
reinforced joint compound. The three sculptures are carved from poured
blocks of plaster. The pedestals are molded plaster, and the benches and
arch are made from steel-reinforced plaster.
The basic form found in this project is based on the off-balance lobe of
a cam-shaft and the seemingly random construction of a crankshaft with its
many journals. Why do this? Part of it, I am certain, is my environment.
Being surrounded by heavy industry gets one thinking industrial thoughts.
Perhaps a bigger part of it is my love for things mechanical. Anyone
who has ever rebuild an automobile engine will be familiar with the hundreds
of beautiful and interesting pieces that make up an engine. That a crankshaft
or camshaft, in addition to being a fantastic expression of form, also
performs a function as an integral part of an engine is fascinating. It's
no accident that giant crankshafts appear as mailbox posts in the more
rural parts of the country (although it's not necessarily advisable...).
People recognize the great art of engineering. I'm not an engineer, but
I can make artwork that reflects the artistic accomplishment of mechanization.
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