GEORGE RICKEY (1907-2002)
Provenance
Sale: Sotheby's November 1983Mr. Pollyea, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Exhibition
Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kalamazoo Institute of Art, George Rickey: Kinetic Sculpture / Ulfert Wilke: Drawings and Paintings, February 5-25, 1964Boston, Massachusetts, Institute of Contemporary Art, George Rickey: Kinetic Sculptures, March 14-April 26, 1964 (Listed as Eight Lines)
85,000
A generation removed from Calder, Rickey came of age during World War II and widespread devastation. Ironically, yet without apology, Rickey honed his skills in precision and complex mechanical systems due to his military experience as a design technician focusing on the maintenance and instruction of aircraft gun turrets. These skills, of course, would later serve him well in fashioning his kinetic sculptures. With that in mind, the precise engineering and organic movement inherent in a Rickey kinetic sculpture symbolizes a bridge between destruction and renewal and serves as a testament to the resilience and innovative spirit of the post-war ethos.
With its radiating arms extending in multiple directions, "Eight Lines II – Sketch for Twenty-Four Lines" captures the essence of Rickey's meticulous design and engineering prowess. A design full of complexities, each arm, crafted from sleek stainless steel, moves gracefully, reflecting light and creating an ever-changing visual experience. This attention to detail highlights Rickey's skill in making connections that allow fluid movement while maintaining structural integrity.