Kinetic Sculpture by Marcel Van Thienen, 1920s

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Kinetic sculpture by Marcel Van Thienen (1922 - 1998), France 1973. Elegantly balanced sculpture made out of bent polished stainless … Read more Kinetic sculpture by Marcel Van Thienen (1922 - 1998), France 1973. Elegantly balanced sculpture made out of bent polished stainless steel rods, a curved base and solid metal spheres. The base hides a motor programmed in three fases which rhythmically rotates the sculpture and moves the curved stems and circular shapes in a very elegant way reminding of the high tones of classical music, the moves of a ballet dancer and the freshness of spring time. Although the sculpture breaths delicateness we can on the other hand see it's quite primitive construction method which provides an interesting contrast where the hand of the artist and the atelier feeling can really be found back and giving the sculpture another dimension. Although it's a kinetic sculpture provided with a motor it was never meant to be switched on continuously. It's beautiful when not moving since it will always symbolize movement and will 'dance' on the vibrating air and can be switched on for special occasions. We photographed the sculpture in our preferred position but this can be changed just by turning on and switching off the sculpture. Van Thienen was schooled as a violinist and created his first plastic work in 1958. Marcel Van Thienen's work is dedicated to movement, he choose mobiles as his medium. It's interesting how we can see back his background in classical and electronic music in his artworks. In 1958 van Thienen married Chinese painter Xie Jing-Lan better known under the name Lalan. Works by van Thienen are among the collection of several important private collections, museums and can be found in public spaces as well. Signed, numbered and dated at the back, pictured in the original catalogue coming with the sculpture. In an excellent original condition. See less