Sunday Funday Monday Leftover Knowledge Drip
Every Monday at 7pm central, TipsyRoo and I host (except when we don't) a live community event where, collectively, we solve a NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle (without using internet search engines!). Each week following the episode I will select a clue/answer from that puzzle and I will delve further into the history & look for fun facts.
Drip #9: Mobile
Puzzle Date: March 1st, 1998
Puzzle Theme: Poetic Injustice
Episode: 49, recorded live on March 1st, 2021
Clue: Kinetic art form
Answer: Mobile
INTRO
The puzzle we finished this week was one of the more difficult ones we've attempted. Not because there was an excessive amount of symbols or rebuses, nor was it some extra-clever them; collectively, we just lacked the knowledge. There’s usually a few "ah-ha!" moments throughout the puzzle that get us on a roll, but this one left us...ah-ha-less. However, every difficult situation gives us a chance to learn something new.
Each week, I spend either the few remaining hours of my day after Sunday Funday Monday or my Tuesday evening, creating a list of clues/answers from the completed puzzle to research. Tuesday evening, I'll conduct a brief research of that list (HAHAHAHA, conduct research; look at me sounding all official), and then make a decision based on no sound logic at all. Nah, seriously, if it’s something I find interesting, potentially entertaining, and/or enlightening, it’s an easy choice.
One of the parts I enjoy about researching these topics is often, they lead you through a whole new world of information. One of my options for this week, Khartoum's Country (clue; answer was, SUDAN - see more here) led me to the Phoenix, AZ Wikipedia page, where I learned this interesting tidbit:
“The greater Phoenix region is home to the only thriving feral population of rosy-faced lovebirds in the U.S. Our yard is often visited by a few of these lovebirds every day. ”
A few of these birds will visit our water fountains each day so I found that a bit fascinating.
So yeah, anyway...this week's drip is about kinetic art!
WHAT IS KINETIC ART?
Kinetic, from the Greek word, kinetikos , means "moving, putting in motion" and/or "relating to muscular motion". With this information and the answer to the clue (MOBILE), I think it's safe to assume that kinetic art is art that is in motion naturally (wind or water), operated by a machine, or by the user (viewing from different angles, moving it themselves, etc.).
AB: This sounds similar to those pictures/cards you'd often find as a prize in boxes of cereal or cracker jax (you know, the ones you can tilt to see a different image). However, this style is referred to as "lenticular".
WHEN IS KINETIC ART?
The origins of kinetic art date back to the late 19th century where impressionist artists, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas experimented with human movement in their oil paintings.
From 1925 to 1991, the "Godfather" of kinetic art, Jean Tinguely, lived and was known for creating whimsical and erratic pieces of art. Jean died of heart failure in 1991 and was given a state funeral in Switzerland.
The "golden era" of kinetic art lasted about a decade starting around 1960 and by 1970, four distinctive styles had emerged: junk art, popularized by Tinguely, mobile art of which Alexander Calder was the pioneer, light-based art by László Moholy-Nagy, and illusionistic Op Art.
OUTRO
So….there ya have it! A little drip into the world of kinetic art. If you'd like to see some examples, they're just a <browser search engine> search away! Or, if you're ever in the Tucson area, check out the Mat Bevel Company.
Kinetic art seems like an excellent mixture of creativity, working with your hands, and putting neglected items to use. We've all got items (or junk) that we aren't likely to use anytime soon or we longer need. If it's something that can be reused, donate it, otherwise, if it's something that's just going to end up in a landfill, maybe try your hand at some kinetic trash junk op art. Or whatever.
REFERENCES
In addition to the links throughout the post:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_art
https://themadmuseum.co.uk/history-of-kinetic-art/
Jean Tinguely mini-documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSGVAO-Ki8
YouTube search for kinetic art: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kinetic+art
Sunday Funday Monday is the brain-child of TipsyRoo that I’ve been honored to be a part of as he continues to enjoy my dumb jokes. Past episodes can be found on YouTube. But it’s a much better viewing experience when viewed live. The puzzle’s a catalyst for interacting with the community, creating shared experiences, and fun learning or sometimes just a whole pile of dumb jokes.
