“Enchanting!” That’s the word that springs to mind as we approach the Four Lines Oblique sculpture. This kinetic sculpture, created by George Rickey, stands as a testament to the beauty of balance and motion.
The Four Lines Oblique sculpture uses air currents to move its perfectly balanced form. Henry T. Segerstrom commissioned it in 1973. The sculpture is understated and easy to miss due to its thin blades. Its reflective quality enchants everyone. The structure constantly changes its composition with the slightest force of nature.
George Rickey’s early sculptures included whimsical painted and stainless steel pieces. He also created purely formal geometric shapes. Between 1957 and 1962, his most progressive work emerged. He reduced his forms to simple geometric shapes of stainless steel. Rickey eliminated color and enlarged the scale.
At the exhibition Documenta III in 1964, Rickey established an international reputation. His kinetic sculpture was distinguished by non-motorized movement. He took the wind as his partner. Gravity, equilibrium, and moment of inertia drive Rickey’s monumental sculptures. They are made from industrially manufactured materials. They are reduced to geometric forms.
The four long arms of Four Lines Oblique Gyratory move freely in space. They move at differing speeds depending on the air circulation. The special form and material permit fast and slow rotation. Each steel arm is longer than 4.5 meters. The shiny surface reflects sunlight. This emphasizes the moment when the static dissolves. It shows the rapidly changing lighting conditions.
Rickey’s sculptures dissolve into a peaceful exchange with nature. Space, movement, and natural phenomena are his central design media. These are not motorized devices. Rickey worked for the U.S. Air Force for three years. He focused on the kinetic potential of material and construction. This was based on the laws of nature.
Four Lines Oblique Gyratory follows the tradition of Alexander Calder. It also follows Suprematist Abstraction. Rickey was not concerned with imitating nature. He focused on giving nature its room to maneuver.
This particular Four Lines Oblique sculpture is edition 3 of 3. The sculpture stands 24 feet high. Take a moment to appreciate how the artist harnessed the power of nature. Watch how the wind interacts with the Four Lines Oblique. It is a dance of art and science. A testament to the beauty of kinetic sculpture.