About Paul

Baltimore City
 
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 some cases buoyancy) and are appropriate for a variety of outdoor settings. Kinetic sculptural elements indicate the rotation of the earth, velocity of the wind and mark time. Wind and sun affect each piece drawing viewers into awareness of natural phenomena of movement, shadows or… more

No Friend of Jack


"I started doing kinetic pieces in undergraduate school at the Kansas City Art Institute. The Institute stressed doing outdoor work because it was the Midwest and they had all this outdoor space but no gallery space. I'd make something inside and it would look really huge. I'd take it outdoors and all of a sudden it would be just tiny. I wanted things to be bigger so they could be seen from far away and I wondered what they looked like from the other side? so I thought what if it turned and it could move for you?

When I moved to my present studio in Baltimore and saw that in the afternoon the sun came beaming in and the buildings around me were all in shadow, I started using mirrors in my sculpture because I wanted to see sunlight strobe across the surface of those dark buildings? It was another way of affecting my environment, making kinetic things do more than move in front of me, but really broadcast their motion over a much larger environment. That was the awakening of an idea for me.

It is my hope that viewers share in my curiosity about the wind and light phenomena.
  • No Friend of Jack
    No Friend of Jack
    No Friend of Jack, 2016 Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel 13 x 10 x 7 feet
  • No Friend of Jack
    No Friend of Jack
  • No Friend of Jack Detail
    No Friend of Jack Detail
    Detail image of No Friend of Jack, completed in 2016.
  • 2016 No Friend of Jack

Manolis

This kinetic sculpture was an investigation to test two kinds of movement: one is the disks spinning in opposite directions on the same axle, the other is the column spinning both above and below the horizontal support arm.

The first 2 images and 2 videos are on site at Cylburn Arboretum, where located high on a hill, Manoils captured the strongest winds it has ever seen. If you look at the videos you will see the wind at its strongest (not sped up). I replaced the two orange disks with a stronger aluminum alloy than was previously there to withstand the heaviest winds. I use these sculptures to explore the effect of wind upon their elements and see the spectacular display of what happens. Often I design and fabricate these pieces without the assistance of a grant or purchase. These artistic investigations are funded by my day job.

The final 4 images show Manolis on a new site, on loan to Peggy Fox & Arthur Houghton.
  • Manolis Video
    2018, Manolis, solo exhibition, Acknowledging the Wind, Ladew Topiary Gardens
  • Manolis
    Manolis
    Some of my works are lent to ther artist friends. Manolis is seen here at the home of Peggy Fox.
  • Manolis
    Manolis
    Manolis, 2011 Steel, aluminum and stainless steel 14 x 13 x 13 feet
  • Manolis Video 1
    Video of incredibly strong winds at Cylburn Arboretum
  • Manolis 2015
    Manolis at the Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore MD.
  • Manolis detail
    Manolis detail
    Manolis at Cylburn Arboretum, 2015
  • Manolis at Cylburn Arboretum 2014-2015
    Video shows detail of discs moving in opposite directions in a strong wind.

Tattletoo

Tattletoo was installed on loan at the Mattin Center, Johns Hopkins University

The strobing sunlight passing over the office of a theater administrator at Hopkins unnerved him to such an extent that he went to the Dean wanting the removal of my sculpture. The Dean then asked me to remove the piece. Working in the real world has its challenges. Not everyone has my vision and realizes the joy of sunlight passing into their office documenting the wind, weather and rotation of the earth.

This project also shows earlier images of Tattletoo at Katzen Museum and in a private collection.

Presently this sculpture is in a private collection.
  • Tattletoo on exhibit at Katzen Art Museum
    Tattletoo on exhibit at Katzen Art Museum
    Tattleltoo was part of a one person exhibition, Current Reflection, at Katzen Art Museum, American University 2009 steel, aluminum, mirror 13.5' x 12' x 12'
  • Video of Tattletoo at Mattin Center, JHU
    2009 steel, aluminum, mirror 13.5' x 12' x 12'
  • Tattletoo in Private Collection
    Tattletoo in Private Collection
  • Tattletoo
    Tattletoo, permanently installed in a private collection.

Kiko-Cy

Kiko-Cy
Kiko-Cy has traveled.  Monkton, Boynton Beach, Baltimore. This kinetic sculpture was part of a solo exhibition at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Md in 2018. Before that in 2017 it was part of a year-long International Kinetic Art Exhibit & Symposium in Boynton Beach, Florida.  Initially installed for Artscape 2007, it was located on the St Paul median strip in front of the Tremont Hotel and Mercy Hospital and on loan to BOPA for 10 years!

  • 2017 Kiko-Cy Boynton Beach
    2017 Kiko-Cy Boynton Beach
    Kiko-Cy, 2007 Steel and aluminum 24 x 20 x 20 feet Installed 2017 in Boynton Beach FL
  • Kiko-Cy Detail
    Kiko-Cy Detail
    Kiko-Cy, 2007 Steel and Aluminum 24 x 20 x 20 Installed 2017 in Boynton Beach FL
  • Video, Kiko-Cy, Boynton Beach 2017
    Kiko-Cy was exhibited as part of a year-long International Kinetic Art Exhibit & Symposium in Boynton Beach, Florida.
  • Ladew Opening, rain
    Ladew Opening, rain
    The opening for Acknowledging the Wind:Kinetic Sculptures by Paul Daniel had torrential rains and still people came out. I was so grateful. June 5, 2018. Sculpture is Kiko-Cy
  • Kiko-Cy, Ladew
    Kiko-Cy, Ladew
    2018, Kiko-Cy at Ladew in the meadow.
  • Kiko-Cy, Ladew
    Kiko-Cy, Ladew
    2018, Kiko-Cy, Ladew Photo by Emily Emerick
  • Kiko-Cy, Ladew Topiary Gardens
    2018, Kiko-Cy, Ladew Topiary Gardens, video in the meadow
  • Kiko-Cy
    Kiko-Cy
    Kinetic sculpture Kiko-Cy was initially installed for Artscape 2007, located on the St Paul median strip in front of the Tremont Hotel and Mercy Hospital and on loan to BOPA for 10 years! 2007 steel, aluminum 24' x 20' x 20'
  • Kiko-Cy
    Kiko-Cy
    Kinetic sculpture Kiko-Cy was initially installed for Artscape 2007, located on the St Paul median strip in front of the Tremont Hotel and Mercy Hospital and on loan to BOPA for 10 years! 2007 steel, aluminum 24' x 20' x 20'

Raising Water

Raising water has been an ongoing interest of mine. It’s the ultimate in cause and effect. Creating a sculpture that is a wind-powered fountain is a concept that has been under development for a long period of time. WW Ladew 2020 is the latest example. 

There were many other projects that led up to the Ladew wind-powered fountain: Wind Wirtz at Park School, Wind Wirtz #2 at Goya Contemporary, Chase Pier model at Gedankenexperiment, and Wind-Wirtz Ladew at Ladew Topiary Gardens.
 

  •   WW Ladew 2020
    WW Ladew 2020
  •   WW Ladew 2020
    WW Ladew 2020
  •   WW Ladew 2020
    WW Ladew 2020
  •   WW Ladew, model, 2020-2018
    WW Ladew, model, 2020-2018
  • WW Ladew model- Video
    WW Ladew model, 2018-2021, Copper & brass, 13" x 12" x 11" Kinetic sculpture that raises water.
  • Chase Pier Model
    Chase Pier Model
    Chase Pier Model 2012 This model has been developed as part of a project with Biohabitats, conservation planners. The combined project of science and art is dedicated to developing a device that filters bay water using the natural resources of wind and plants. I have designed a wind powered kinetic sculpture that raises water to assist in turning Chase Pier in Baltimore harbor into a functioning wetland. In the completed full-scale sculpture, spiral pumps will rotate on each side of the pier bringing water to the deck where it will flow into wetland plant beds 300 feet long. How much water will the sculpture raise? At low tide every revolution of the sail elements raises 168 gallons of bay H2O. At high tide the amount of water doubles! Chase Pier Model is 1” =1’ scale, 84” wide 41.5" x 84" x 84" Aluminum, brass, Tyvek, water, plastic tube
  • Chase Pier Model, studio video
    2012, This model has been developed as part of a project with Biohabitats, conservation planners. The combined project of science and art is dedicated to developing a device that filters bay water using the natural resources of wind and plants. I have designed a wind powered kinetic sculpture that raises water to assist in turning Chase Pier in Baltimore harbor into a functioning wetland.
  • Wind Wirtz #2
    Wind Wirtz #2
    2012, Wind Wirtz #2, two person exhibition, Motion Study - Paul Daniel & David Hess, Goya Contemporary, Baltimore, MD
  • Wind-Wirtz
    Wind-Wirtz
    2000, solo exhibition, Paul Daniel- Kinetic Sculptures in the Pond, The Park School, Brooklandville, MD Aluminum, copper, stainless steel, 7.5' x 12' x 12'

Models and Tabletop Sculptures

This project shows a number of tabletop sculptures. These sculptures are made to investigate movement, structure, shape and design. Some become studies for larger scale sculptures, other sculptures offer the opportunity to explore shape and movement.. Examples are M.T. Skirt (#1 &#4) and Woolgathering models.


  • Woolgathering
    Woolgathering
  • M.T. Skirt #1
    M.T. Skirt #1
  • M.T. Skirt #4
    M.T. Skirt #4
  • M Square R
    M Square R
    M Square R, 2017 Aluminum and brass 14 1/2 x 12 x 5 inches
  • Porthos
    Porthos
    Porthos, 2017 Aluminum and brass 14 1/2 x 12 x 5 inches
  • Aramis
    Aramis
    Aramis, 2017 Aluminum and brass 14 1/2 x 12 x 5 inches
  • Maggie
    Maggie
    Maggie, 2012 brass, aluminum, magnets 15.25" x 10.5" x 6
  • Sterope
    Sterope
    2008 brass, aluminum 12" x9" x9'
  • Drum
    Drum
    2012 Brass, Aluminum 14.5 x 10.5 X 7.75

Transfer Motion Sculptures

 These sculptures are studies of cause and effect - the tranfer of motion.  Sculptural elements, such as wind-driven gears, cause other components of the sculptures to generate more speed, increasing the power of the turning force.


  •   WW Ladew, model
    WW Ladew, model
  • Merope
    Merope
    2008 Brass 19" x 11" x 11"
  • Astrea
    Astrea
    2010 brass, aluminum, Tyvek 32" x 42" x 42"
  • Video of Astrea in motion
    2010 brass, aluminum, Tyvek 32" x 42" x 42"
  • Genie
    Genie
    2009 brass, aluminum, paper 39" x 26" x 26"
  • Video of Genie in motion
    2009 brass, aluminum, paper 39" x 26" x 26"
  • Adjustable
    Adjustable
    2012 Brass, Aluminum 12.75" x 20.5" x 20.5"
  • Adjustable - detail
    Adjustable - detail
    2012 Brass, Aluminum
  • Wind Wirtz 2
    Wind Wirtz 2
    2011 brass, canvas, plastic tube 32" x 48" x 42"

Paintings

I develop paintings in conjunction with fabricating my sculpture.
Early on in the paintings a historical image becomes the basis or foundation for adding elements needed to build my sculpture. Materials used ar collage, painting, drawing and stenciling.
These works provide me with a clarity of ideas and a blueprint for fabrication while offering flights of fancy.
  • Mermaid
    Mermaid
    Mermaid, 2017 Paper, acrylic and sintra 28 x 37 1/2 inches
  • Column Generator Study
    Column Generator Study
    Column Generator Study, 2015 Acrylic, paper, comatex and ink 32 x 48 inches
  • Silhouette (Bellemore)
    Silhouette (Bellemore)
    Silhouette (Bellemore), 2011 Acrylic 30 x 72 Inches
  • Medusa (Chase Pier)
    Medusa (Chase Pier)
    Medusa (Chase Pier), 2012 Acrylic and paper 34 1/2 x 41 inches
  • Geisha (Red Eye)
    Geisha (Red Eye)
    2007 27.5" X 24" acrylic, wood, string
  • Earth Shaker
    Earth Shaker
    Earth Shaker, 2010 hand-painted acrylic on Mylar 40 x 58 inches
  • Waiting for Visitors (Kiko-Cy)
    Waiting for Visitors (Kiko-Cy)
    2007 Wax crayon, acrylic, acrylic paste 25.5" x 24"
  • Genie Study
    Genie Study
    Genie Study, 2009 Acrylic and paper 58 1/2 x 48 inches
  • Azul
    Azul
    Azul, 2006 Acrylic and Scotchlite 30 x 42 inches
  • Astrea Study
    Astrea Study
    Astrea Study, 2010 Acrylic, ink 31 1/2 x 34 1/2 inches

Mounting of Museum Objects

Objects from The Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of art and the Smithsonian Museum of American Indian
  • American Indian northwest coast
    American Indian northwest coast
    Settee installed on mount
  • American Indian northwest coast
    American Indian northwest coast
    Mount to support the weight of the settee
  • Gold Box
    Gold Box
    Mount for gold box with arm lid open.
  • Gold Box
    Gold Box
    Displayed open
  • Presidential Dinnerware
    Presidential Dinnerware
    Mount placement on sideboard.
  • Presidential Dinnerware
    Presidential Dinnerware
    Mount detail
  • Presidential dinnerware
    Presidential dinnerware
    On display at the Baltimore Museum of Art
  • Chinese serving Plates
    Chinese serving Plates
    Mounting process
  • Chinese serving plates
    Chinese serving plates
    Mounts for nesting Chinese serving plates
  • Chinese Serving Plates
    Chinese Serving Plates
    Assembled Chinese serving plates. supported by brass mounts