Kinematics Lab
MICHAEL BROWN & DAVID COLE
4126 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94609
(415) 846-1266
COLLABORATIONS
Commissions in progress:
Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO
Kinetic hanging sculpture for entry hall for the CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering opening in 2017
Richland School District – Richland, WA
Outdoor sculpture for Orchard Elementary School. Installation slated for early 2018.
2015
“eTau Awards” – San Francisco, CA
(Aluminum, steel, glass and LED's)
Thirteen custom awards were created to honor a group of scientists who made groundbreaking discoveries in the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s.
2013
“Bicycle Trio” – Boise, ID
(Steel, musical instruments, glass, brass and aluminum)
A trio of whimsical bicycles that when ridden, activate and play mechanical instruments contained within the columns to which the bikes are attached.
A video can be found at http://tinyurl.com/q3cnf43
2012
“Cleaning House” and “A Drop of Blood” – Central Oregon Community College; Bend, OR
(Painted, perforated aluminum, wire, wood and LED-illuminated acrylic)
Commissioned for the Health Careers Center at the community college, the pair of works consists of a suspended representation of human immunology at 35,000 times magnification and a wall-mounted interpretive panel.
A video can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/7kzwhr5
2011
“Red Oak” – Princeton, NJ
(Painted, perforated aluminum, brass and monofilament)
This suspended, kinetic artwork was commissioned for the three-story atrium of an office building in Princeton.
A video can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/butno6z
2010
"Surface Shimmer" – Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
(Perforated aluminum, monofilament, light and wind)
Developed a prototype, kinetic sculpture for the Life Sciences Exhibits at the future location of The Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum.
A video is available at http://tinyurl.com/2vwz6oc
2008
"Dust City Diner" – Black Rock Desert, NV
(Trailer, wood, steel, Formica, paint with working griddle and coffee maker)
Interactive mobile diner with bee-hived waitresses serving grilled cheese sandwiches to the citizens of Burning Man, an outdoor arts festival.
2006
"Playaflies" – Black Rock Desert, NV
(LED's, ping-pong balls, wire, electronics and software)
Interactive LED light sculptures built for 23 bicycles. Created for Burning Man and designed to be ridden around in a group.
A video can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/39tcj5g
MICHAEL BROWN
(Individual Resume)
SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2009
“Blue Rain” – London School of Economics, London, UK
(LED’s, electronics, live data stream from student research and software)
LED sculpture commissioned for the Library of the London School of Economics. More than 23,000 blue LED’s scroll live text culled from the students' current research onto the exterior brick wall of the library.
A video is available at http://tinyurl.com/28hga7y
“Periscope” – Private Collection, San Francisco, CA
(Copper, LED’s, video monitor, optics and electronics)
Interactive sculpture incorporating video, sound and light encased in a copper globe to be viewed while reclining in a bathtub.
2007
“Cloud Burst” – Private Collection, San Francisco, CA
(Stainless steel, LED’s, glass, pulleys and electronics)
Movable light sculpture incorporating LED’s, blown glass and counterweights hidden in the attic space allow the elements in the sculpture to be repositioned and arranged at will.
2004
“Birds of Prey” – Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, CA
(Anodized aluminum, painted steel and ball bearings)
Wind activated sculpture commissioned for an Interactive Children’s Museum. Life-size cutouts of migratory birds with multiple holes in the wings to help distinguish the patterns birdwatchers commonly use to identify each species.
A video can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/385vav4
“Unsupported Transit” – Private collection – San Francisco, CA
(LED’s, electronics, mirrors, glass and wood)
Muybridge’s galloping horse photographs of the 1800’s inspired this piece. Light Emitting Diodes aimed at each mirror are quickly flashed in the correct sequence, reflecting the image of the galloping horse onto a frosted glass face of the bell jar.
A video can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/nm2oq4h
RESIDENCES, GRANTS AND AWARDS
1992 - Present Artist-In-Residence
The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
2010 Grand Prize – Muybridge inspired artwork
NPR and Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC
2001 Artist-In-Residence
Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito, CA
1994 Cultural Equity Grant
San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco, California
EDUCATION
1982-1985 Bachelor of Arts, Theater Arts - Film
Humboldt State University – Arcata, California
DAVID COLE
(Individual Resume)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1994-present
Founder and President
Svartvik Metalworks, Ltd. – Established in Pontiac, MI
Relocated to Oakland, CA in 1998
Designs and creates fine jewelry, architectural metalwork & public art
2005-present
Adjunct Professor
California College of the Arts – Oakland, California
Teaches undergratuate art in the Jewelry/Metal Arts Program
1999-2010
Instructor
The Crucible – Oakland, California
Taught classes in the Jewelry Making Studio and Machine Shop
SELECTED CLIENTS (LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS)
2007-present
Stanford University – Stanford, CA
Multiple commissions have included reproductions of historical architectural metalwork for the Main Quad, Memorial Church, Pigott Hall, Art Gallery and Hopkins Marine Station.
2006
Stanford Memorial Church – Stanford, CA
Designed and created a new decorative brass handrail for the front alter of the church in the historical style of existing metalwork in consultation with Leslie Bone, Conservator at the De Young Museum, San Francisco.
GALLERY / RETAIL REPRESENTATION
2004-present Velvet da Vinci – San Francisco, CA
2006-present Tutto Amiamo Galleria – Petaluma, CA
2005-2009 Wilkes Bashford – San Francisco, CA
2007-2008 Old Gold – Mendocino, CA
2007-2008 Gallery Flux – San Francisco, CA
EDUCATION
1991-1993 Master of Fine Arts, Metalsmithing
Cranbrook Academy of Art – Bloomfield Hills, MI
1986-1990 Bachelor of Arts, Government (Modified with Religion)
Dartmouth College – Hanover, NH