Reuben Margolin: Sculpting waves in wood and time

Summary

Reuben Margolin, an artist and inventor, shares his passion for creating intricate sculptures inspired by natural phenomena. His 'Double Raindrop' sculpture, which combines the interference patterns of two raindrops, is a prime example. Margolin's work involves mechanical motion, using materials like soda bottles, aluminum cans, and tule reeds. He also collaborates with choreographers, such as 'Connected,' where strings attached to dancers mimic the movement of waves. Margolin reflects on the tension between the need to delve deeper into patterns and the immediate beauty of the world, which drives his artistic process.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The artist enjoys working in his shop, finding inspiration in the rain and the patterns it creates.
• 💧 The 'Double Raindrop' sculpture represents the interference pattern created by two raindrops landing near each other, forming expanding hexagons.
• 🔩 All sculptures are mechanically driven, with one example featuring a complex system of nine motors and about 3,000 pulleys.
• 🌿 The artist appreciates the sensory experience of working with Tule, a reed native to California, which has a delightful smell.
• 🌀 The sculptures incorporate various natural phenomena, such as raindrops, spiral eddies, and the movement of clouds.
• 🚴 'Connected' is a collaborative piece with a choreographer, involving strings attached to dancers to create a visual representation of movement.
• 🌍 The artist contemplates the idea that the Earth is not flat or round but wavy, suggesting a deeper, more complex reality.
• 👧 The artist reflects on the limitations of reducing complex entities, like his daughter, to mere waves or patterns.
• 🔄 The sculptures embody the tension between the desire to understand deeper patterns and the immediate beauty of the world.
• 🌱 The artist's creative process involves a journey from initial reactions to a deeper appreciation of his work over time.

Q & A

What does the speaker enjoy doing in his shop during rainy days?

During rainy days, the speaker enjoys cutting wood, drilling holes, and watching the water outside his shop where the driveway turns into a river.

What is the name of the sculpture that the speaker describes as the most talkative?

The sculpture that the speaker refers to as the most talkative is called 'Double Raindrop'.

How does the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture create its pattern?

The 'Double Raindrop' sculpture creates its pattern by adding together the interference pattern from two raindrops that land near each other, resulting in expanding hexagons instead of circles.

What materials are mentioned as being used in the creation of the speaker's sculptures?

The materials mentioned include 800 two-liter soda bottles, 400 aluminum cans, and Tule, a reed native to California.

What is unique about the Tule reed used in the sculptures?

The Tule reed is unique because of its delicious smell, which the speaker appreciates when working with it.

How many motors and pulleys are involved in the mechanism that drives one of the speaker's sculptures?

The mechanism that drives one of the sculptures has nine motors and about 3,000 pulleys.

What is the collaboration piece called that involves choreographer Gideon Obarzanek?

The collaboration piece with choreographer Gideon Obarzanek is called 'Connected'.

What is the significance of the 14,064 bicycle reflectors used in one of the speaker's installations?

The 14,064 bicycle reflectors were used in a larger-scale installation of one of the speaker's sculptures, which took 20 days to install.

How does the speaker describe the Earth's shape in relation to his sculptures?

The speaker humorously describes the Earth as 'wavy', suggesting that every seemingly isolated object is a manifestation of a continuous wave poking through into our world.

What does the speaker's daughter represent in contrast to his sculptures?

The speaker's daughter represents the immediacy and individuality that cannot be reduced to a wave pattern, contrasting with the patterns and cycles found in his sculptures.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture when it was first turned on?

The speaker's initial reaction to the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture was dislike; he hated it the moment he turned it on.

How did the speaker's perception of the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture change over time?

The speaker's perception of the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture evolved over time. After initially disliking it, he began to appreciate it more each day until he came to love it.

Outlines

00:00

🌧️ Sculpting with Nature's Rhythms

The speaker, Timothy Covell, expresses his love for working in his shop, especially during rainy days when the driveway floods. He enjoys creating sculptures that mimic natural phenomena, such as the 'Double Raindrop,' which represents the interference pattern of two raindrops. His sculptures are mechanical, incorporating elements like sine waves and reeds, and use a variety of materials, including soda bottles, aluminum cans, and bicycle reflectors. One of his works, 'Connected,' is a collaboration with a choreographer, involving dancers and strings. The speaker also discusses the intricate mechanisms behind his sculptures, such as the one with nine motors and 3,000 pulleys.

05:00

🌟 The Dichotomy of Perception and Reality

In this segment, the speaker, Reuben Margolin, challenges the audience's perception of the world by discussing the idea of continuous waves and how objects in our world might be seen as isolated but are actually part of a larger, continuous form. He humorously refutes the idea that his daughter could be considered a wave, emphasizing the importance of individuality over patterns. Margolin talks about the tension between the desire to understand deeper patterns and the beauty of immediate experiences. He shares his creative process, mentioning how his initial dislike for the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture transformed into love over time. The conversation concludes with the interviewer, June Cohen, highlighting the inspiration behind Margolin's sculptures and the evolution of his perception of his own work.

Keywords

💡Interference Pattern

An interference pattern is a phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves meet and either reinforce or cancel each other out, creating a unique pattern. In the context of the video, the artist describes the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture, which is inspired by the interference pattern created when two raindrops land close to each other, resulting in expanding hexagons rather than circles. This concept is central to the video's theme of exploring the intricate and often unexpected patterns in nature.

💡Mechanical Means

Mechanical means refer to the use of physical devices or machinery to achieve a particular result. In the video, the artist discusses how all of his sculptures move through mechanical means, implying the use of gears, motors, and other mechanical components to bring his artistic visions to life. This term is integral to understanding the video's focus on the fusion of art and engineering.

💡Sine Wave

A sine wave is a smooth, continuous wave that oscillates between a negative and positive value, often used in mathematics and physics to represent periodic functions. The artist in the video mentions adding a sine wave with four peaks to one of his sculptures, illustrating his use of mathematical concepts to create visual representations of abstract ideas.

💡Tension

In the video, tension is used metaphorically to describe the conflict or balance between two opposing forces or ideas. The artist talks about the tension between the need to look deeper into the patterns and structures of the world and the beauty and immediacy of the world as it is. This tension is what drives the movement in his sculptures and represents a central theme in the video about the balance between observation and interpretation.

💡Wave

A wave, in the context of the video, is used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it refers to the physical phenomenon of a wave, such as a water wave or sound wave. Figuratively, it represents patterns, cycles, or the continuous nature of things. The artist uses the concept of waves to explore the interconnectedness of seemingly isolated objects and the idea that everything is part of a larger, continuous pattern.

💡Choreography

Choreography is the art of creating and arranging dance movements. In the video, the artist collaborates with a choreographer to create 'Connected,' a piece where strings attached to dancers interact with the audience. This keyword highlights the video's exploration of how art can transcend traditional mediums and engage with other forms of expression.

💡Helix

A helix is a shape like a coil or spiral, commonly seen in structures like DNA or a spiral staircase. The artist mentions a pair of helices in one of his sculptures, using this geometric form to create a visual representation of the cyclical and interconnected nature of the world, which is a recurring theme in the video.

💡Reflection

In the video, the artist uses bicycle reflectors to create a larger-scale installation, playing with the concept of reflection both literally, through the use of reflective materials, and metaphorically, as a means to consider one's own perspective and the world around us. This keyword is tied to the video's broader theme of perception and understanding.

💡Amplitude

Amplitude refers to the magnitude or extent of a wave's oscillation from its equilibrium position. The artist describes increasing the amplitude of a single drop of rain in one of his sculptures, using this term to discuss the manipulation of wave patterns to create different visual effects, which is a key aspect of his artistic process.

💡Pulleys

Pulleys are simple machines used to lift heavy loads or change the direction of force. The artist mentions the use of about 3,000 pulleys in the mechanism that drives one of his sculptures, illustrating the complexity and ingenuity involved in translating his artistic visions into functional, moving sculptures.

💡Cycles

Cycles refer to a series of events or actions that repeat in a regular pattern. The artist reflects on the cycles of hunger and eating, waking and sleeping in his daughter's life, using this concept to contrast the idea of patterns with the individuality and uniqueness of each moment. This keyword is part of the video's exploration of the balance between recognizing patterns and appreciating the present.

Highlights

The artist enjoys working in his shop, finding beauty in the rain and the challenges it brings.

The 'Double Raindrop' sculpture is described as the most talkative, showcasing the interference pattern of two raindrops.

The sculpture features expanding hexagons instead of the typical expanding circles seen in water ripples.

All sculptures are mechanized, with the artist demonstrating the addition of a sine wave with four peaks.

The artist uses 802-liter soda bottles and 400 aluminum cans in his creations, emphasizing sustainability.

Tule, a reed native to California, is appreciated for its delightful smell in the artist's work.

A single drop of rain is used to demonstrate increasing amplitude in the sculptures.

The spiral eddy created by a paddle on a rafting trip is captured in one of the sculptures.

The artist combines four different waves in one sculpture, showcasing complexity.

The sculpture's mechanism includes nine motors and approximately 3,000 pulleys.

A three-dimensional weave of 445 strings is used to transfer the sculptures to a larger scale.

14,064 bicycle reflectors are used in a large-scale installation that took 20 days to complete.

The 'Connected' sculpture is a collaboration with choreographer Gideon Obarzanek, integrating strings and dancers.

The artist discusses the initial dislike for the 'Double Raindrop' sculpture, which evolved over time.

The Earth is described as wavy rather than flat or round, challenging conventional perceptions.

The artist's daughter is used as an example to illustrate the tension between looking deeper and appreciating the immediate.

The sculptures are driven by the tension between the need to look deeper and the beauty of the immediate world.

The artist concludes with a wave-shaped sculpture, symbolizing the path between two extremes.

Transcripts

Translator: Timothy Covell Reviewer: Morton Bast

Usually I like working in my shop,

but when it's raining and the driveway outside turns into a river,

then I just love it.

And I'll cut some wood and drill some holes and watch the water,

and maybe I'll have to walk around and look for washers.

You have no idea how much time I spend.

This is the "Double Raindrop."

Of all my sculptures, it's the most talkative.

It adds together the interference pattern

from two raindrops that land near each other.

Instead of expanding circles, they're expanding hexagons.

All the sculptures move by mechanical means.

Do you see how there's three peaks to the yellow sine wave?

Right here I'm adding a sine wave with four peaks and turning it on.

Eight hundred two-liter soda bottles --

oh yea.

(Laughter)

Four hundred aluminum cans.

Tule is a reed that's native to California,

and the best thing about working with it is that it smells just delicious.

A single drop of rain

increasing amplitude.

The spiral eddy that trails a paddle on a rafting trip.

This adds together four different waves.

And here I'm going to pull out the double wavelengths

and increase the single.

The mechanism that drives it has nine motors

and about 3,000 pulleys.

Four hundred and forty-five strings in a three-dimensional weave.

Transferred to a larger scale --

actually a lot larger, with a lot of help --

14,064 bicycle reflectors --

a 20-day install.

"Connected" is a collaboration

with choreographer Gideon Obarzanek.

Strings attached to dancers.

This is very early rehearsal footage,

but the finished work's on tour

and is actually coming through L.A. in a couple weeks.

A pair of helices and 40 wooden slats.

Take your finger and draw this line.

Summer, fall, winter, spring,

noon, dusk, dark, dawn.

Have you ever seen those stratus clouds

that go in parallel stripes across the sky?

Did you know that's a continuous sheet of cloud

that's dipping in and out of the condensation layer?

What if every seemingly isolated object

was actually just where the continuous wave of that object

poked through into our world?

The Earth is neither flat nor round.

It's wavy.

It sounds good, but I'll bet you know in your gut that it's not the whole truth,

and I'll tell you why.

I have a two-year-old daughter who's the best thing ever.

And I'm just going to come out and say it:

My daughter is not a wave.

And you might say, "Surely, Rueben, if you took even just the slightest step back,

the cycles of hunger and eating,

waking and sleeping, laughing and crying

would emerge as pattern."

But I would say, "If I did that,

too much would be lost."

This tension between the need to look deeper

and the beauty and immediacy of the world,

where if you even try to look deeper you've already missed what you're looking for,

this tension is what makes the sculptures move.

And for me, the path between these two extremes

takes the shape of a wave.

Let me show you one more.

Thank you very much. Thanks.

(Applause)

Thanks.

(Applause)

June Cohen: Looking at each of your sculptures,

they evoke so many different images.

Some of them are like the wind and some are like waves,

and sometimes they look alive and sometimes they seem like math.

Is there an actual inspiration behind each one?

Are you thinking of something physical or somthing tangible as you design it?

RM: Well some of them definitely have a direct observation --

like literally two raindrops falling,

and just watching that pattern is so stunning.

And then just trying to figure out how to make that using stuff.

I like working with my hands.

There's nothing better than cutting a piece of wood

and trying to make it move.

JC: And does it ever change?

Do you think you're designing one thing,

and then when it's produced it looks like something else?

RM: The "Double Raindrop" I worked on for nine months,

and when I finally turned it on,

I actually hated it.

The very moment I turned it on, I hated it.

It was like a really deep-down gut reaction, and I wanted to throw it out.

And I happened to have a friend who was over,

and he said, "Why don't you just wait."

And I waited, and the next day I liked it a bit better,

the next day I liked it a bit better, and now I really love it.

And so I guess, one, the gut reactions a little bit wrong sometimes,

and two, it does not look like as expected.

JC: The relationship evolves over time.

Well thank you so much. That was a gorgeous treat for us.

RM: Thanks. (JC: Thank you, Reuben.)

(Applause)