Object Department: Kinetic Sculpture Treatment

Before Treatment: Hugo Demarco, Transformable Relations, 1967, A.P. 3/3, Stainless steel, aluminum, poly (methyl methacrylate), elastomer belts, wood, motor, wiring (copper-alloy wire, PVC plastic casing), plastic and brass outlet plug.

Our client called the studio to describe a “motorized” sculpture, which immediately was intriguing, and we were very interested in learning more about the project. This delightful kinetic sculpture had been passed down from her parents and although she remembers seeing it in the family home, it never fully rotated or functioned properly. The chromed steel arcs all rotate at a different speed which is dictated by gears and belts positioned on the backside of the work. The result is a mesmerizing movement of activity of light and pattern.

Hugo DeMarco was an Argentinian artist who helped pioneer both Op and Kinetic Art in the 1906’s. His work centered on the study of light and movement, as well as the metamorphosis of image, pattern and color that often animated his moving surfaces. In 1959, he traveled to Paris where he made his first kinetic paintings that achieved unique optical vibration through utilizing complimentary colors.

The treatment included researching the artist's intent to understand how the work should operate to inform the treatment and include configuration of the gears and bands that controls the movement. Cosmetically we needed to treat the black adhesive remnants on the bottom of the sculpture that were removed and the surface of the stainless steel was cleaned and hand polished. The iron corrosion on the bars was reduced and then coated in order to convert any remaining iron oxide corrosion to a more stable form. The rotating chrome components were polished. Finally, a new electrical cord was installed and the sculpture was fully operational once again.

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Overall: After treatment