“THE ART OF NATURAL SCIENCE”
The name of this piece is "Alaska Site #1" and it measures 60" x 42"x 3". It is the smallest of the four castings. The largest on is 64" x 114" x 4".
“The Art of Natural Science Art Exhibition will run December 3, 2024 through January 2025. Tuesday January 7th we will host an artist reception from 5-7pm which is open to the public.. Viewings of the show are available by appointment, or during show hours. If you wish to make an appointment or have questions about the show please contact us at info@142throckmortontheatre.org or (415) 383-9600.
MICHAEL LYNCH ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My work usually lies near the confluence of art, natural science and engineering.
THE CASTINGS
I have been interested in tracking animals ever since we tracked down my sister’s guinea pig in the basement by dusting the floor with flour.
The value of these castings to me is as much about the journey and the privilege of proximity to these magnificent animals as it is the final product hanging on the wall.
What these castings provide is a momentary record of a life story written in spoor that began with its first footfall.
THE TIMELESS CLOCKWORKS
The first of these three sculptures was “Rockeateroot”. It is a willow tree root that had grown through the riverbed of the Upper Sacramento River. The tree was dead, so I cut off a section and brought it home and put it on a shelf. As I was appreciating the compliance the root exhibited by engulfing the rocks and sculpting its way through the riverbed I realized I needed to build a mechanism to rotate the root to fully appreciate its natural beauty.
The thing all three of these sculptures have in common is a machine that is powered by gravity with the escapement metered by means of a pendulum, in an effort to enhance an appreciation of science and nature.
Michael Lynch
MICHAEL LYNCH BIOGRAPHY
Michael Lynch is a self described “ Artistic Engineer” whose work combines creative experimentation with resourceful real-world problem solving. He has assembled many diverse teams of people creating anything from movie special FX and large scale art installations to prototypes of every description. Some of the more noteworthy projects include;
Engineering, building and puppeteering C-3PO for Star Wars Episode1 during the 16 years he worked at Industrial Light and Magic. (for film credits go to IMDB)
Releasing a 125 pound illuminated pendulum on a 175’ radius from a railroad bridge at the Crooked River Gorge Oregon.
Designing and building three parachute systems that covertly delivered surveillance packages to denied areas for the NRO and Special Forces.
When the Myth Busters asked him to design and build a paintball gun that could paint the Mona Lisa he made a gun with 1102 barrels that could produce the painting in 80 milliseconds (Google Myth Busters Mona Lisa)
Elements of the natural world are often found in Michael’s artwork. While traveling by canoe in Canada, Alaska and Zimbabwe he molded (with silicone) the animal tracks on the banks of the river and watering holes, telling their stories with fiberglass and paint.
When Michael is between projects you will probably find him standing in a river somewhere fly fishing.