Kinetic Art & Simple Machines

learn & explore

Watch Ok Go's Music Video, 'This Too Shall Pass' -Rube Goldberg Machine

FUN FACT: Ok Go's amazing video is based on the Rube Goldberg Machine. A Rube Goldberg machine uses chain reactions to perform a simple task in a complicated way. Watch the next video to learn more about the simple machines used in the video.

teacher instruction

go on a scavenger hunt!

simplemachinesscavengerhunt_worksheet.pdf
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File Type:	pdf

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Watch 'This Too Shall Pass' one more time using the Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt worksheet (If you're unable to print the worksheet, just make a list of the 6 Simple Machines on a plain piece of paper)
Try to find as many simple machines as you can, and mark them on your worksheet. You can pause and rewind the video as many times as you want to.
Think about all of the ways we use simple machines every day. How can we combine simple machines? Is there any form of art that uses simple machines?
When you're finished, Move on to your visual art steps down below...

'kinetic art' is art that uses movement for visual effect

Click HERE to see MESMERIZING sculptures IN MOTION!

Artist Feature

Untitled, 1943 Alexander Calder, c2020 Alexander Calder Foundation

Antenna with Red and Blue Dots, Alexander Calder c1953 c2020 Alexander Calder Foundation

alexander calder/

One of the most famous artists known for his kinetic sculptures is Alexander Calder. Calder's mobiles use delicate shapes that are affected by subtle movements and breezes created by the environment, and people within the environment. Calder's sculptures offer the viewer a different sculpture with every turn. Calder also considered the effect light had on each element of his sculptural pieces, and recognized it's importance in the viewer's experience.

best books!

You can find both of these books
THE KING'S ENGLISH BOOKSHOP
(open for online orders and delivery during the closure)

Art project

Build a sculpture that moves out of found materials

Materials to look for around the house:

Paper Tubes
Yarn
String
Wooden dowels
Bottle Caps

Old Utensils
Wood
PVC Pipes
Office Supplies
Tape

Foil
Shoe Boxes
Cans
Paper
Chopsticks

Cardboard
Glue
Popsicle Sticks
Wire

Teacher instruction

Find a shopping bag or basket and gather the materials you will need to create your moving sculpture
After you have your materials, decide what types of simple machines/moving parts can be made with the items in your basket (for example, bottle caps can turn into wheels or pulleys, dowels and chopsticks can be axles for your wheels)
Decide how you want your sculpture to move, and what type of force you will need to allow for the movement you want (will your sculpture move freely with the breeze like Calder's mobiles, or will you use a lever or pulley to move certain parts of it?)
Decide what direction(s) you want you sculpture to move. Will it move around in a circle, forward and backward, up and down? What simple machines will help you to create the desired movement? (for example, up and down movement requires a lifting action, whereas around in a circle simply needs an axle to hold onto as it turns)
Draw up a quick, rough sketch of what you want to create. (remember, the creative process is all about learning from our mistakes and being willing to make changes...don't focus too much on the details yet...leave room for exploration and risk-taking!
Build your sculpture and try it out! If it worked, take a video or send me a picture to put up in our gallery!
OR when you're finished, MAKE A STOP MOTION MOVIE HERE!