Freerk Wilbers

wetenschap & techniek , sculptuur , publieke ruimte , Licht , installatie , Abstract

I make kinetic artworks and light installations, departing from an ongoing experimental research into materials, motion and mechanics. My work is 'aleatoric', or based in chance - I do not have full control over what happens in the work. I'm currently looking for a point where the physical sculpture and its projections intersect. Boundaries between the individual shapes and forms seem to dissappear.
An important starting point is the idea of a planetarium, a model of the cosmos. Endlessly variable, never the same. The motion is calm, smooth, natural. The motion in my works is physically the same kind of motion that produces music, or sound, in a musical instrument.
My background in (mechanical) engineering asserts itself in my practice, informing my methods and providing me with the necessary tools to produce what I have in mind. However, my work ultimately originates from curiosity and the desire to explore.

**Liquid Crystal** - Liquid Crystal refers to the crystal-inspired arrangement of the elements, and to the resulting jewel-like form. The work resembles a liquid appearance of ever-changing reflections in crystal, and to the under-water effect it produces in its surroundings when interacting with light. Liquid Crystal is also a pun on the LCD – a liquid crystal display. With digital screens shaping so much of our daily lives, the work is a very analog means to generate a mesmerizing image. An escape into a refreshing, off-screen reality. Liquid Crystal - Drape formed acrylic, custom motor and controller, 190 x 71 x 71 cm, 2023

**Inclined Plane** - Inclined Plane (Mirror/Pink) was especially commissioned for this private residence. The high ceilings, over 5m, provide the perfect setting for this ceiling based work. The elements in Inclined Plane are arranged in four concentric rings. The circles within a ring are all on the same plane, which in turn is angled from vertical. The elements are arranged in a circle, but at an angle to horizontal, meaning the frames above are elliptical. Each circle element is laser-cut from stainless steel, mirror polished, and an industrial coat of paint is applied on the other side. As the elements move and turn they pick up and reflect their environment, casting light into unexpected corners of the room and producing an always-changing composition. The title 'Inclined Plane' refers of course to the angled plane that is a core element of the work, but more importantly to the vocabulary of school physics exercises. These deal with all sorts of idealized mathematical constructs that do not exist in reality. Inclined Plane is a fantasy of perfection. A perfect dream of idealized masses forever orbiting each other in calculable orbits. Luckily, in the real world, it is not quite perfect. Inclined Plane (Mirror/Pink) 230 x 166 x 144 cm 2022

**Large Diamond** - (Here at Battersea Power Station London 2024) I made Large Diamond for Big Art 2021 at the Hembrugterrein, Zaandam. It consists of 183 diamond-shaped pieces of special reflective acrylic material. They are suspended from six aluminium frames, that can rotate with respect to each other. The diamonds also rotate on their own axis. The work contains about 500 meters of steel cable. With a height of 14m (7,5m for the diamond shape alone) it dominates this enormous hall. A small rotation in the diamonds causes light to fall through them and reflect in a completely different way. There is a motor which gives a periodic push and causes the frames and diamonds to rotate. The shapes are light enough to rotate just from a draft in the space. It is always in motion, sparkling, engaging the viewer. Motive #15 (Large Diamond) approx. 14 x 4,2 x 4,2 m 2021

**Orbits** - Orbits is a commissioned piece for the ING Art Collection. It was especially made for the newly renovated office of ING Bank in Zaandam. The chosen site was the main staircase that connects the ground floor and the first floor. This allows you to see the moving work from multiple angles as you approach and ascend or descend the stairs. The work consists of twelve brightly coloured aluminium discs, on three steel cables. Each disc has two colors, one on each side, and there are three colours in total. As the work slowly turns, the discs also gently turn in space, appearing, almost disappearing (when viewed from the side!) and changing color. Like confetti in slow motion. We aimed for a calm, meditative work, that doesn't get in the way of the serious business of banking but adds an element of surprise and joy into every working day. Motive #16 (Orbits) approx. 7,8 x 1,0 x 1,0 meters 2021

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