San Francisco: Machinations art show, with Pesco moderating panel Tuesday

David Pescovitz at 8:33 PM Monday, Aug 2, 2010

This is the exquisite work of artists Jeremy Mayer, Benjamin Cowden, and Nemo Gould. The three are part of an incredibly-creative collective called Applied Kinetic Arts, formed several years ago to cultivate collaboration and awareness of artists who make work "incorporating motion, light, sound, and interactivity." Mayer, Cowden, and Gould are showing their work right now at 5 Claude Lane gallery in San Francisco. Above: Jeremy Mayer's "Bust IV." Below, Benjamin Cowden's "A Series of Arbitrary But Passionate Decisions" and Nemo Gould's "Albert." The show, titled Machinations, runs until August 21. I was honored that they invited me to moderate an artist discussion tomorrow (Tuesday, 8/3) from 6 to 8pm at the gallery. All of the pieces can also be viewed, but certainly not experienced, at the gallery's site.

From the exhibit description:

Featuring the distinctive elements of re-use transformational sculpture while exploring human interaction and objectification.  “Machinations,” is a cunning reference to the shifting and subjective definition of what constitutes art.  A variety of kinetic based art will be on display—ranging from whimsical creatures and life size scupltures crafted from twisted metal bits, to interactive machines.

Sculptor Nemo Gould displays a collection of robotic creatures and small world-scapes crafted from salvaged material. Forgotten remnants of gadgets, broken tools, and other objects that were formerly cast aside, now have new life with Gould’s interactive installations. Citing inspiration from his love of science fiction and cartoons, Gould’s work playfully evokes child-like sentiments – all the while exploring ideas about sustainability, objectification, and the struggle for definition.

Jeremy Mayer narrows in on the human form. Mayer’s pieces are crafted by assembling vintage typewriter pieces to portray anatomically correct human figures.  His latest piece, Nude IV – “Delilah” is a 6 foot tall figure, named both for model Delilah Brown and for the biblical character Delilah from the story of Samson and Delilah.

Oakland-based sculptor Benjamin Cowden’s work also utilizes interactive mechanical pieces, focusing on machinery and the interplay between gears and movement.  His hand-cranked machines thoughtfully examine issues of everyday life, including his exhibit titled “A Series of Arbitrary but Passionate Decisions” which examines the dilemma of the unforsee-ability of life.