Spotlights illuminated the swirling red, blue, and yellow designs in the courtyard of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. These new brightly colored and constantly moving sculptures by Drew Klotz were unveiled at the opening reception of The Big Show: Drew Klotz: Kinetic Sculpture / Audrey Klotz: “Fabstraction”on Saturday, November 9th. “What’s wonderful about these dynamic sculptures is that they attract people who are walking by, especially children, who are intrigued by them,” said Co-Director Arianne Kolb.
Inside the vision continues with the entire space of the barn coming alive with spinning mechanisms juxtaposed against Audrey Klotz’s vibrant abstract paintings with corresponding forms. Over their many years together, they have developed a deep appreciation and understanding of each other’s art, which is complementary in the use of form and movement. Viewed together the works transport you to a magical world of color and motion. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the art and activate it. They are kept busy making the giant Juggler spin, changing the colors of the swirling flakes in the Wind Box, moving the giant Rocker back and forth, and creating their own magnetic art with the Pop Dots.
The exhibition was sponsored by Walter Stewart’s, Karl Chevrolet, Moffly Media, Vineyard Vines, and the New Canaan Sculpture Association. The delicious hors d’hoeuvres and prosecco were generously donated by Walter Stewart’s. Eleanor Flatow, Co-Director, said, “Such exhibitions would not be possible without the support of our community.”
The idea behind a more singular vision in the gallery is to allow an artist to be inspired by the wonderful soaring historical space of the Carriage Barn and transform it, thereby realizing the vast potential of the structure. Part of Drew Klotz’s philosophy is that art should be accessible – one has to touch it to activate it. Kinetic sculpture is an assemblage comprised of parts designed to be set in motion by an internal mechanism or natural stimuli, such as the wind or touch. This has great appeal to a wide audience, children in particular, who love for once not being told: “Don’t touch the art!”