George Rickey ; Kinetic Sculpture ~ A Retrospective

Written by Russell Overton Friday, 17 December 2010 22:41

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the most significant sculpture and botanic experience in the Midwest and an emerging cultural destination on the national scene, is pleased to host a major museum presentation of works by internationally-acclaimed sculptor George Rickey. The exhibition, George Rickey: A Retrospective is through December 31, 2007.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is proud to be the only Midwest venue for this important exhibition. The first of its kind following the artist’s death, this retrospective will survey six decades of the artist’s work and will include approximately 30 interior and 20 exterior works, on loan from various collections across the United States.

Most pieces are examples of kinetic sculpture – those using movement as a basic compositional element. This movement, produced by means such as air currents, water or light, has become an important aspect of sculpture in the 20th century.

“This exhibition is unique in that these sculptures function as both objects and an event that’s ever changing,” said Dr. Joseph Becherer, Director of Exhibitions and Curator of the Sculpture Program at Meijer Gardens. “Most of Rickey’s pieces have a wind driven element that provides an endless series of combined shapes and movements. We are proud to be the only Midwest destination to display these intriguing kinetic sculptures.”

About George Rickey

George Rickey (1907 – 2002) is one of the most inventive and influential contemporary sculptors of his time. His iconic works, designed to form endless compositions, were the outgrowth of experiments with wire and metal that began during his service as an engineer in World War II. In 1942, Rickey joined the US Army, where he worked in engineering. Following his discharge, he studied art at the New York University, Institute of Fine Arts and later at the Chicago Institute of Design. He taught art at variety of colleges, including Muhlenberg.

Beginning in the early-1950s, Rickey shifted his focus from painting to sculpture and began creating kinetic sculpture. Inspired by David Smith’s’ cubic sculptures and Alexander Calder’s mobiles, Rickey combined his love of engineering and mechanics to design sculptures whose metal parts moved in response to the slightest air currents. These parts were often very large, sometimes weighing hundreds of pounds.

This exhibition is organized by the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida, with generous support of The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. and the George Rickey Foundation.

About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The 125-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which currently serves more than a half-million visitors annually, features Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; one of the largest children’s gardens in the country; arid and Victorian gardens; carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens; the Midwest's most comprehensive sculpture experience featuring internationally-acclaimed works by Rodin, Oldenburg, Moore, Rickey, di Suvero and others; indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions, as well as a 1750-seat outdoor amphitheater, featuring an eclectic mix of world-renowned musicians every summer, café and gift shop. For additional information, please visit : www.meijergardens.org