In 2009 I was contacted by Physics World, the international monthly magazine published by the Institute of Physics, about being featured in their "Once a physicist" column, which looks at people in different walks of life who originally trained in physics but then moved into new fields.
Today the article was published in the In Depth section on their website. The article can be found here. It is a detailed look at how my initial interest in physics was the catalyst for the work that I do today.
I started the Variation series in 2003 with Variation Wind. It ended up being a series of 9 different designs all using the same drive mechanism but different satellite wheels to generate a fascinating variety of patterns.
2003
Variation-Wind
Variation-Stars
Variation-Fire
2004
Variation-Surf
Variation-Water
Variation-Fractal
2006
Variation-Jazz
2007
Variation-Zen
2008
Variation-Dream
Summer Rain is a melding of fascinating motion and soft sounds reminiscent of drops splashing into puddles. I explain a little about it in this short video and more information is available on my website. Take a break and enjoy watching a gentle Summer Rain.
Several sculptures and drawings that Marji made during her years as a student at Rhode Island School of Design started me thinking about wooden machines as sculptures. Here's a video showing some of her works and one of my first attempts at a moving piece c.1975.
For more information on the history of Wood That Works and spring driven kinetic sculpture visit this link.