Aaron

Van de 

Kerckhove

Aaron P. Van de Kerckhove works with steel to create powerful geometric abstract sculpture.  His work continues a tradition of welded sculpture that began at the beginning of the 20th century  with Spanish artists Pablo Picasso and Julio Gonzalez, and matured in the 1950s and 60s with the work of the American sculptor David Smith.  Aaron has added the element of motion to this tradition, and presented a large number of impressive animated works for Open Studios.

Aaron's sculptures combine scrap metal and found objects, often on a massive scale as in the kinetic piece shown here.  The piece combines weighty tubular forms, rugged welded construction, and a large rotating arm into a cohesive, figurative composition.  Many of his kinetic works feature smoothly rotating arms that incorporate commercially manufactured bearings, allowing them to rotate smoothly and effortlessly despite their heavy construction. 

Aaron's kinetic pieces seem to celebrate the concept of the machine.  They remind the viewer of gyroscopes, turning gears, windmills, or rotary engines.  There is a simple satisfaction and appreciation in pushing on their massive rotating arms, feeling the force applied beginning to move their substantial weight, and then standing back and watching them spin.  Some are large enough to be dangerous, capable of causing injury if they were to strike an unsuspecting passer-by.  Although this may not have been the artist's intent, the result is an extra thrill similar to that experienced around a dangerous and powerful machine like a lawnmower or airplane propeller. 

Aaron experiments with a variety of surface textures which are usually applied uniformly throughout each work.  Some retain the natural patinas of the objects they are constructed from, while others have more finished surfaces of polished metal or glossy polychrome paint. This uniformity of surface focuses the viewers attention on the form and construction of the work, rather than on the details of its surface.

Aaron's static works are abstract, geometric compositions in many ways similar to his kinetic work. The forms he chooses are angular and hard edged, reminding the viewer of engine parts, letter forms, or children's building blocks.  They are solidly constructed, like tools or auto frames.  This confidence of form demands the viewers attention, and establishes each object as an undeniable entity.  Overall Aaron's works exude a sense of solidity and strength, both in the method of their construction, and in the object that results.   

Aaron also creates lightweight, hanging and standing mobiles in a style similar to the work of Alexander Calder, pioneer of kinetic art and inventor of the mobile.  They are colorful, artfully balanced, and well constructed, and can be purchased from Aaron's web site or at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History gift shop.

Click Here to visit Aaron's website