MEDIA RELEASE
Show(s): NATURAL MOVEMENT
Show Dates: August 3rd - (anytime between and after, through indefinitely)
Artist Opening Reception Date: Thursday, August 3rd
Opening Time(s): 5pm - 8pm
Location: Nord Alley - in Pioneer Square between 1st and 2nd, Main and Jackson
Cost: Free
NATURAL MOVEMENT is presented by Aubrey Birdwell in collaboration with New Mystics, and with support from Back Alley Bikes, and financial support from The Pioneer Square Inspiration Fund though Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area
“NATURAL MOVEMENT” are a series of kinetic sculptures drawn directly from our oneiric experience of freedom - riding bikes. Cycling represents a slowing down of machine time, liberty from clocks and bus schedules, and a human powered traversal of terrain - it is a metaphysical meditation. The sculptures feature human powered, painted mandalas mounted on scavenged bicycle wheels that are connected through a series of bicycle based clockwork.
Designed and engineered by Aubrey Birdwell and Colin Northcraft in 2014, the work is approaching its tenth birthday. To celebrate, Pioneer Square BIA has awarded us the “Pioneer Square Inspiration Fund” so we can revitalize the alleyway installation by restoring and replacing old works, and adding new ones. On the first Thursday, July 6th, we will be having a “studio visit” to unveil the main panel and to answer questions about the restoration process. The new sculptures will include restored works by Sign Savant, Baldman Watching, Darya Husak, Baso Fibonacci, DK Pan, and Smurf, two lost works by Feleisha Cannalora and Groucho, some restored and some reproduced, plus several entirely new works by Jenny Riffle, PROOF, Dan Hawkins, Dani Blackwell, Yale Wolf, No Touching Ground, as well as additional restorations and collaborations, and a new poem by Taris Ross added to the restored prayer wheel – all thanks to the BIA. The opening on August 3rd will feature a sound system with WIZDUMB playing records sometime between the hours 5 pm and 8 pm.
We would like to thank Davis Sign Company for their support in engineering and constructing NATURAL MOVEMENT, the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Pioneer Square BIA for encouraging us to restore the work through their generous financial support and also
Bike Works for donating so many parts.
ARTIST RECEPTION(s):
On July 6th New Mystics will host 3 hours of cycling centered conversation and live music featuring NM member Wizdumb with special guests, and …. Join us for FREE in Nord Alley from 5 - 8 pm to celebrate the ongoing installation of the NATURAL MOVEMENT (Beta Testing).
On 3rd New Mystics will host another 3 hours of cycling centered conversation and live music featuring NM member Wizdumb with special guests, and …. Join us for FREE in Nord Alley from 5 - 8 pm to celebrate the completed installation of the NATURAL MOVEMENT (Stable Release).
Dream Machine, 2014
In 2014 (and then again in 2018) I collaborated as a fabricator, design engineer, and curator along with members of the New Mystics to compose Natural Movement, a one block long multi-panel kinetic art installation. The piece is a semi-permanent public art installation made from bicycle wheels, centered in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.
The original installation deteriorated after a couple years and was subsequently rebuilt several times. Since the original panels were constructed from plastic, a temporary material, since there was no way of knowing for sure how long the installation would be allowed to remain.
To the left is the original main panel featuring small works from different members of New Mystics. The mandalas are chained together in sequence by a bicycle chain. Turning any attached wheel will turn all of the wheels simultaneously.
In 2018, I rebuilt the entire installation using aluminum panels and invited a few new and old collaborators to (re)create mandalas. The second iteration has remained intact except in cases where components were stolen.
Nord Alley has requested for the sculptures to be revised once more in the hopes that we may negotiate a permanent home in the alley.
Prayer Wheel, 2014
From the Original Release: designed and engineered by Aubrey Birdwell and Colin Mikel Northcraft in collaboration with NM, we have created five new sculptures referencing the sacred geometry found in Buddhist sand painting and prayer practices. The “DREAM MACHINES” are four sculptures featuring human powered, painted mandalas mounted on scavenged bicycle wheels, connected through a series of bicycle based clockwork.
Give “PRAYER WHEEL” a spin next time you ride by and release the energy of the cyclist prayers inscribed on the wheel. Composed of discarded BMX wheels, “PRAYER WHEEL” references a traditional Buddhist prayer wheel and features poems written by the NM members, “PRAYER WHEEL” is an interactive missive sending an endless stream of good vibes into the universe.
“PRAYER WHEEL”, through the grace of the Nord building owner and the support Back Alley Bikes, will remain permanently installed in Nord alley to continue sending positive messages through the cyclesphere in Seattle. New Mystics is excited about making a lasting contribution to a community that has empowered and entertained us so long....
