Reuben Margolin

Artists take many different approaches to coming up with different designs. Some artists use the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. Reuben Margolin is no exception to that concept. Reuben is a Kinetic sculpture meaning that his works move. What is interesting about how he comes up with designs is that he simply recognizes the amount of math that we constantly interact with. Almost all of his work is based off of mathematical equations and are designed to make you think of something you interact with or see on a daily basis. Most of his work is made by timing pulleys connected to wire in order to have the pieces move in a perfect, mathematically-sound motion. The way that his pieces hang from the ceiling and also move is very surreal. 

"Round Wave". 2005 Reuben Margolin

This work was inspired by the concept of a drop of water and the math that is behind all of the ripples that the impact creates. Though this sculpture doesn't look like the impact of a drop of water, the motion that it was adds a sort of realism that couldn't be instilled into the work without motion. the use of simple materials also allows for the viewer to use his imagination in the work. I also appreciate how he decided not to use planes to connect the circles but rather left them to be independent of one another. Though this decision was probably made for the sake of function, it also sets it apart from directly representing a drop of water but rather representing the math that is behind the drop of water. 

"Square Wave". 2005 Reuben Margolin

The work above is another by Reuben. Rather than a single drop of water however, this is a more mathematical design. The fluidity created by this square wave is seen in real life in any number of areas, from water to an open field with a strong breeze. The wind was his inspiration for this particular piece. This kinetic sculpture illustrates an excellent use of line without plane. The material he used for this was wooden dowels and joints. The motion for this sculpture is created by a system of pulleys that are timed to give it a sort of flowing design. I really like how he took something so solid as wood is and created a fluid curvilinear feel to the piece. 

"Hexagonal Wave". 2008 Reuben Margolin

The picture above is a closeup of a section of the hexagonal wave sculpture. This is almost a fusion of the previous two having been made by wooden dowels and joints but at the same time exhibiting a circular wave that would be seen in the round wave sculpture. While this sculpture exhibits characteristics of the previous two, it creates its own identity by how it moves and the emotion that is given off by the piece. It has a very calming and serene aura about it mostly because of the speed at which it moves but also how the shape resolves itself over and over.