Acknowledging The Wind

Acknowledging the Wind: Kinetic Sculptures by Paul Daniel was a solo exhibition in 2018 at Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, MD. My sculptures were placed throughout the meadow and as the seasons changed the meadow grew up around them.  Pathways between each sculpture led the visitors to discover the relationship of art and science. Kinetic sculptural elements indicate the velocity of the wind, mark time and rotation of the earth. Wind and sun affect each piece drawing viewers into awareness of natural phenomena of movement, shadows or calm.

M.T. Skirt No.6

My commitment to wind activated sculpture and its connection to the environment has been a passion of mine during my entire career.
 
My sculptures address nature (wind, light and movement and in this case buoyancy) and are appropriate for a variety of outdoor settings. Floating works of mine have been displayed in Druid Reservoir and the Baltimore Harbor. Kinetic sculptural elements indicate the rotation of the earth, velocity of the wind and mark time.
 

Breakfast Club

A miniature vignette set within a full scale book. All handmade and all the old adages, don’t judge a book by it’s cover and then these kids in detention! The Princess, The Athlete, The Brain, The Criminal, and The Basket Case each become open books with each other even though they are worlds apart at the beginning of the classic (albeit a few too trite moments and a disturbing #metoo scene) 80's movie. 

Wings of Desire

I want to live in that world. This common response to my miniature spaces and sculpture expresses how scale can awaken imaginations and transport viewers. By compressing time and space, miniaturization as an art form tangles with nostalgia, commingling historic and fantastic forms. As a result, viewers are enchanted by scenes they can see clearly with their eyes but inhabit only with their imaginations.

cankind Inceptions

I put metal away for awhile.  These new assemblages are innovative and dynamic.  New techniques and designs are still held together with brass fasteners.  Concieved as puppets several are stringed to devices that help them move.

O

A salvaged piece of signage, a large aluminum letter O, serves as the Oval Office walls. The office floor rotates to expose the two opposing worlds. Brushed solid steel executive office furniture on one side represents the previous administration that made so much social and environmental progress.  Overturn to the underside - the Opposite reality, the Opposition, the Oppression – shown in negative space decomposing and decaying in rust.

Back Bar Cart

Full scale bar cart on casters with miniature "back bar" as the "drawer front". Frame is industrial in style with square tube steel framing. Rusted patina'd panels enclose the cabinet and drawer sides. Cart top and lower shelving is all solid black walnut with a natural oil for a rich finish. Other materials include LED lighting, salvaged metal and vintage watch face, frosted marbles, and miniature glasses and bottles. Inspiration came from the vintage James Joyce back bar in Baltimore that was shipped from Ireland. 
38” wide x 23-5/8” deep. Overall height is 37-1/4”

Installation

My installations are site specific explorations that examine the tenuous, dynamic relationship between nature and humanity. Viewers physically navigate their path and their connections to nature in site specific installations that incorporate sculpture, video, and sound. 

Subscribe to Metalcut