Kinetic Construction (Standing Wave)

Mediums: metal, wood and electric motor.
Location: Tate Gallery, London (the UK).

The electromechanical (kinetic) design consists of a steel rod inserted into a wooden base. When activated, the sculpture “comes to life”: thanks to fast rotations, the rod forms the illusion of a curved three-dimensional shape. The image created in this case was conditionally called the “standing wave”; this term was borrowed from the field of physics. Gabo studied at the engineering school for some time, so he used his technical knowledge in this and other sculptures. According to the commentary of the artist, Standing Wave was initially made for students of the art workshop as a demonstration of constructivist ideas expressed by Gabo and his brother A. Pevsner in their “Realistic manifesto”.