A Cache of Kinetic Art: Simply Steampunk
WHEN: now through Sunday, August 11, 2019
WHERE: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
The Morris Museum is pleased to present Simply Steampunk, the second installment of the four-year juried exhibition series, A Cache of Kinetic Art, celebrating the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata.
Following the success of last year's inaugural exhibition, this year explores the theme of steampunk art─incorporating the aesthetics of 19th-century industrial design and steam engine machinery─through 18 works of kinetic sculpture by 12 artists that were selected by a jury of practitioners in the field. The artwork on view ranges in scale from jewelry to room-sized installations, and in scope from traditional retrofuturistic sculpture to more broadly-interpreted light and soundscapes. These imaginative creations are marvels of design, engineering, storytelling, and fantasy that demonstrate the ingenuity of steampunk art today.
The themes of A Cache of Kinetic Art change annually:
- Curious Characters, 2018
- Simply Steampunk, 2019
- Tiny Intricacies, 2020
- Timeless Movements, 2021
“Enthusiastic support for A Cache of Kinetic Art continues to grow, not only among artists but also visitors who have come to enjoy, respect, and expect artwork that provokes thoughtfulness and engagement through movement,” states Michele Marinelli, Curator of the Guinness Collection. “The variety and breadth of the 18 pieces featured in Simply Steampunk are simply fabulous, from traditional steampunk designs reminiscent of 19th-century scientific novelties to contemporary constructs using present-day materials.”
This year's exhibition jurors are:
- Rein Triefeldt, New Jersey: Solar Kinetic Artist and Co-founder of Kinetic Art Organization (KAO)
- Brett King, North Carolina: Steampunk Artist and Costumer, Founder of AutomataCon
- Ann Aptaker, New York: Independent Curator, Art Writer, and Professor at New York Institute of Technology.
A People’s Choice Award
Visitors are encouraged to actively participate in bestowing the People’s Choice Award. Voting by the public begins on Friday, March 15, 2019 on-site at the Museum and concludes on Sunday, June 30, 2019. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on the Museum’s website and through social media on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.
“The submissions for the second in our series of A Cache of Kinetic Art exhibitions have not failed to amaze us. Creative and beautifully executed artworks that incorporate movement are exponentially more difficult to conceptualize, not to mention fabricate while maintaining artistic integrity. The many challenges to overcome are why so few artists attempt it and why so few kinetic works are created each year. We’re very pleased that they can find an appreciative audience and venue here at the Morris Museum,” states Jere Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection.
Exhibiting Artists and Their Works:
- Time Machine, 2018. David Bowman, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
- Pterence, The Pteranodon, 2018. David Bowman, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (above, right)
- Tink, The Northern Pike, 2018. David Bowman, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
- Bruce, 2017. Chris Cole, Bend, Oregon
- RoboTarium No. 5, 2017. Chris Cole, Bend, Oregon
- The Flying Machine, 2015. Ken Draim, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (top image)
- Transformation, 1991. Kyle Dries, Glen Oaks, New York
- Celesta, 2014. Kyle Dries, Glen Oaks, New York
- Steampunk Valentine, 2018. Bradley N. Litwin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Professor Ignatius and Assistants Flee the Citadel, 2018. LoHiFi Productions (Chris Little and Theofani Pitsiavas), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
- Wedding Ring, 2018. Kenneth MacBain, Morristown, New Jersey
- Spin Stack, 2017-18. Mike Richison, Ocean Township, New Jersey
- Lumia Series: Orion Lumia, Hubble Lumia & Messier Lumia, 2017. Will Rockwell, West Orange, New Jersey
- The Buddha, 2016. Walter Rossi, New York, New York
- The Going, 2014. Walter Rossi, New York, New York\Deliriums: Cluster A, 2018. Matthew Steinke, Austin, Texas
- Deliriums: Cluster B, 2018. Matthew Steinke, Austin, Texas
- Deliriums: Cluster C, 2018. Matthew Steinke, Austin, Texas
Information about the participating artists is available upon request.
Leadership support for this exhibition is provided by our partners at M&T Bank.
Related Events
Tea and Treasures: Simply Steampunk, a Curator's View (Lecture and Tour)
March 20, 2018, 2:00PM
Guinness Collection Curator Michele Marinelli offers an entertaining journey into the world of kinetic artworks, including live demonstrations. This event includes light refreshments.
Museum Members: $10
Non-Members: $15 (Includes Museum Admission)
Steampunk 101: Scorsese’s Hugo with Curator’s Tour
Sunday, April 7, 2019, 1:00 – 4:00PM
Join us in the Bickford Theatre for a big-screen showing of the film, Hugo, directed by
Martin Scorsese. Parisian orphan Hugo discovers a mysterious automaton. Following the film, join the Guinness staff for a tour of Simply Steampunk.
Museum Members: FREE
Non-Members: $8 (includes Museum Admission)
Curator Tour for Upper Level Members: Simply Steampunk
Wednesday, May 8, 2018, 6:00PM – 7:30PM
Join Guinness Collection staff for a tour of Simply Steampunk and live demonstrations of unique pieces in the exhibition. Artist Will Rockwell will join this tour to share his insights on his work in this exhibition! Members at the Friend ($175) level and above are invited. To RSVP, or to upgrade your membership level and attend this event, please call 973.971.3721 or email membership@morrismuseum.org
Build an Automaton! Children’s Workshop
Sunday, June 16, 2019, 12:30PM – 2:00PM
Join the Guinness staff at a maker’s workshop to assemble and decorate a kinetic sculpture to bring home. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to invite their favorite adult to help create an automaton. Each child receives one kit.
Workshop Fee: $15.00 per child
A parent must accompany the child attending but has free admission.
Advance reservation is required to ensure receiving an automaton kit: 973.971.3706
Last Look: Behind the Scenes of Simply Steampunk
Thursday, August 8, 2019, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Mad science and time travel! Accompany the Guinness Collection staff into the world of steampunk kinetic art to catch a final glimpse before it closes. Artist David Bowman will join this tour to share his insights on his works in this exhibition!
Museum Members: FREE
Non-Members: $15
To purchase tickets: 973.971.3706
Location and Hours
The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members. For more information, call 973.971.3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org.
