Reuben Margolin: Sculpting waves in wood and time | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This content features an interview with sculptor Reuben Margolin, discussing his inspirations and the evolution of his sculptures.

Key Insights

• 🌧️ Reuben Margolin's sculptures are inspired by natural phenomena such as raindrops and waves, which he recreates using mechanical means.
• 🌀 His sculptures create complex patterns and movements by combining multiple waves and interference patterns from various sources.
• 🌁 Margolin's sculptures are often made using everyday materials such as soda bottles, aluminum cans, and reeds, showcasing his creativity and resourcefulness.
• 💃 His collaboration with choreographer Gideon Obarzanek combines his sculptures with strings attached to dancers, creating a unique and dynamic visual experience.
• 🌊 Margolin's sculptures capture the tension between the desire to look deeper and the beauty of the immediate world, reflecting the intricate nature of waves.
• 🌬️ Some of Margolin's sculptures evoke the wind, while others resemble mathematical patterns, highlighting the versatility and wide range of inspirations behind his work.
• 🌌 He challenges conventional notions by suggesting that seemingly isolated objects are connected through continuous waves that poke through into our world.
• 👶 Margolin's personal experience as a parent influences his perspective on waves, emphasizing the complexity and uniqueness of individuals in relation to larger patterns.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the most talkative sculpture created by the artist?

The most talkative sculpture created by the artist is the "Double Raindrop." It adds together the interference pattern from two raindrops that land near each other, creating expanding hexagons instead of expanding circles.

Q: How do the sculptures move?

All the sculptures move by mechanical means. They are driven by a mechanism that includes nine motors and about 3,000 pulleys.

Q: What is the inspiration behind the design of the sculptures?

The artist draws inspiration from various sources. Some sculptures are based on direct observations, such as watching two raindrops falling and observing the pattern they create. Others are born out of the artist's desire to work with his hands and manipulate materials to make them move.

Q: Has the artist ever experienced a change in perception about his own sculpture?

Yes, the artist has experienced a change in perception about his sculpture. For example, with the "Double Raindrop" sculpture, he initially hated it when he turned it on for the first time. However, over time, his opinion evolved, and he now loves it.

Q: How does the artist describe the tension between the need to look deeper and the beauty and immediacy of the world?

The artist describes the tension between the need to look deeper and the beauty and immediacy of the world as what makes the sculptures move. He believes that this tension takes the shape of a wave and represents the path between these two extremes.

Q: Is the Earth flat or round according to the artist?

According to the artist, the Earth is neither flat nor round. He describes it as wavy, implying that it has a more complex shape and structure.

Q: What is the purpose of the collaboration between the artist and choreographer Gideon Obarzanek?

The collaboration between the artist and choreographer Gideon Obarzanek is called "Connected." It involves attaching strings to dancers and exploring the interaction between movement and sculpture. The finished work is on tour and will be coming through L.A. in a couple of weeks.

Q: How did the artist's initial perception of the "Double Raindrop" sculpture change over time?

The artist initially hated the "Double Raindrop" sculpture when he turned it on for the first time. However, after waiting and giving it some time, he gradually started to like it more and more. Now, he truly loves the sculpture.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker describes his sculptures, such as the "Double Raindrop," which combines the interference pattern of raindrops and creates expanding hexagons.

• The sculptures are mechanical and made from various materials, such as wood, soda bottles, and aluminum cans.

• The speaker discusses the tension between wanting to explore deeper meanings behind his sculptures and appreciating the beauty and immediacy of the world.