Mechanized Sculpture Exhibit Opens at Barton

WILSON, N.C. – Barton College is pleased to announce the opening of “Gestural Mechanics” by internationally renowned artist Arthur Ganson. The exhibition, to be held in the Barton Art Galleries, will open with a gallery reception on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 – 4 p.m. Works in the exhibition include automated kinetic sculpture and production drawings of the machines. This event open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

Ganson has been building art machines since 1978. His works are not static non-moving forms, but rather functional sculptural investigations of mechanized design. A former artist-in-residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ganson maintains an ongoing exhibition of kinetic sculpture at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass.

The sculptures begin as meditations on particular concepts of motion. “They are the result of a meandering way of thinking, dreaming and inventing, and come about because I like to work with my hands,” said Ganson. The concepts with which he works serve as a catalyst and point of departure for investigations on the mechanics of movement.

The work he produces cannot be adequately described in words or photographs. “Direct observation is the only way one might understand the quiet, introspective, meditative quality of the machines,” said Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions at Barton College. “Each contraption is a careful juxtaposition of grace and chaos and, through the act of viewing, one discovers a passageway to the sublime.”

With regard to his work, Ganson proclaims that each machine carries with it an aspect of his spirit. “I happen to make machines because I am equally interested in solving mechanical design problems, thinking about the aesthetic implications of objects in space, considering movement from the point of view of a choreographer, and challenging myself to give voice and form to the thoughts and feelings which define me,” he shared.

Ganson’s work has been featured in “Smithsonian Magazine,” “The New York Times Magazine,” “Forbes Magazine,” “Time Magazine” (European edition), “The Chronicle of Higher Education,” “The Boston Globe” and the “Atlantic Monthly Unbound.” A short profile was produced by WGBH television in Boston and included in the series “Nova: Science Now.”

In addition, Ganson has appeared as a cartoon bear on the children’s series “Arthur.” And, he also is the inventor of the award-winning children’s toy Toobers and Zots and is a partner in the toy company, HandsOnToys, which he co-founded in 1994.

Ganson will lecture on his work on Monday, Feb. 23, at 10:00 a.m. in the Barton Art Galleries. The lecture is also open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend.

The Barton Art Galleries are located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. 
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of holidays. For additional information about this exhibition or Barton Art Galleries, please contact Gerard Lange, director of exhibitions, at 252-399-6475 or email glange@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.