Broken Column

George Rickey’s kinetic artworks are naturally set in motion by the forces of wind and gravity. The individual parts are precisely constructed and configured, so that these incredible movements vary in intensity depending on the surrounding environmental conditions. When the weather is calm, the Broken Column looks like a four-part column made of stainless steel with light reflecting off the surface.
While the element closest to the ground is static like a tree trunk, the three upper sections begin to move at even the slightest breeze. They swing and rotate with the wind, creating the impression of a collapsing pillar that simultaneously defies gravity. The oscillating parts don’t fall down, but instead remain suspended. Fragility and mobility appear to be the true qualities of the pillar, which is commonly seen as a symbol of static force otherwise.

Further reading:
Public Art Ruhr. Die Metropole Ruhr und die Kunst im öffentlichen Raum. Eds. Walter Smerling and Ferdinand Ulrich on behalf of the RuhrKunstMuseen, Cologne 2012, ISBN 978-3-8632-134-0, pp. 154–155.