Herb Leff's Artist's Statement About His Reflective Kinetic Sculptures

Over the years my artwork has evolved from abstract drawings and paintings to mixed-media collages, reflective assemblages, and most recently a new form of sculpture based on a reflective kinetic visual effects system (for which I have been granted a patent).

My goal in making art has always been to create works that would provide fascination and surprise, that would "knock one's socks off." With my reflective kinetic sculptures I finally felt that I had accomplished that. The essence of this art form lies in the interplay between a suspended, twirlable sculpture and its magnified, constantly transforming reflection (created by a concave reflector). I found that I could spend hours studying the varied, often unpredictable patterns of movement, reflection, and interaction created by this approach.

I love to explore the visual effects created by different types of materials and forms as well as the possibilities afforded by different types and configurations of reflectors. In many cases, I also like to incorporate various levels of "meta-reflections" (reflections of reflections) to add to the sense of mystery and surprise and to prompt further reflection on the interplay and thin line between illusion and reality.

Another intention in my current artwork is to invite the viewer to interact playfully with the kinetic elements in each piece - to reach out and touch the art in order to explore the effects of different rates and types of motion. In addition, each work is constructed so that changing the distance of the suspended sculpture from the backing reflector actually creates alternative art pieces.

When the sculpture is moved in close to its reflector, a kind of kinetic "reflection painting" results: the swirling reflections fill the reflector and seem to lie on or behind its surface. When the sculpture is moved away from the curved reflector (beyond its optical focal point), an "impossible object" effect appears, based on the "real image" reflection that seems to float like a gyrating hologram in front of the reflector. Depending on the exact position of the hanging sculpture, its reflection can appear either to be a separate object or to intertwine in physically impossible ways with the actual sculpture. My ultimate ideal would be to provide endless variety - and endless fascination - in each single work of art.

- Herb Leff

More Reflective Kinetic Sculpture by Herb Leff

Reflective Kinetic Sculpture Gallery

Herb Leff's Artist's Statement

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You will find Herb Leff's reflective kinetic sculpture at:

Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Stowe, Vermont

Polanaise Gallery in Woodstock, Vermont

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© 2001 Herb Leff
US Patent #6,080,067