Kinetic sculpture wave : Mechanical Ocean Wave Simulator, Ciboure 2013 / Matthieu Schönholzer

Back to Real !   French-Swiss Matthieu Schönholzer, one of the original pioneers in the 3D-FX computer graphics industry, now breaks free from the 'virtual world' and presents his début piece as an emerging sculptor -- his sinuous Mechanical Ocean Wave.   After over 30 years specialising in motion capture and motion control techniques, creating real-time, interactive tools for the animation, interactive games and performing arts sectors, he straddles the two worlds with a fusion of mechanical engineering and artistic elegance in his ocean wave simulator.   Historically, sculptures seeking to represent kinetic wave forms have been sine waves with no surface distortion.  Whilst capturing a certain fluidity of movement, this mathematical precision fails to capture the rolling, 'ripple effect' that stimulates a unique, enigmatic emotion within each observer of ocean waves.  Schönholzer's Mechanical Ocean Wave approaches this challenge from a different perspective. Using animation techniques that plot the points defining the curve of an ocean wave, he revealed that the points inscribe circles that penetrate one another. This concept is at the heart of Schönholzer's mechanical wave. His kinetic sculpture does not seek to highlight the mechanism by which the device operates, or the mathematical principles that underpin the design. Instead, he targets his audience's emotional responses.  Schönholzer seeks to arouse in his audience the thrill that is inspired by the beauty of the sea in its continuous, eternal motion.  His intention is that his kinetic sculptures are primarily aesthetic, always fun, but sometimes educational.   'Animate' is to 'bring to life'. To Matthieu, in 'Real', this encompasses the inner sensations as well as external motion. Mary Lawrence