Kenneth Brecher

Artists

Kenneth Brecher

Professor of Astronomy and Physics, Emeritus

Departments of Astronomy and Physics, Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts USA

https://www.siriusenigmas.com/

Statement

I am a physicist with long standing interests in and contributions to astronomy, physics, art, and history of science. The artwork C.O.O.O. C. combines all these threads in the design and construction of a unique new assemblage/collage sculpture/kinetic art piece. When I was once asked to name three people with whom I would like to have spoken, I cited Newton, Einstein, and Kepler. I think of Kepler as the Mozart of Astronomy. I believe that Kepler would have enjoyed this piece since he had wanted to have his model of the solar system made in silver for presentation to his patron. And I don’t think that Duchamp would have objected to its title.

Artworks

Image for entry 'C.O.O.O.C.' — C.O.O.O.C.
40.0 x 32.0 x 32.0 cm
Assemblage/bricolage/collage sculpture made from wood, brass, steel, sterling silver and neodymium magnets
2023
Additional info

Johannes Kepler’s great 1597 book “Mysterium Cosmographicum” proposed a model of the solar system consisting of nested polyhedra. My kinetic sculpture “C.O.O.O.C.” is a metaphor for Kepler’s model for Creating Order Out Of Chaos. It combines a chaotic magnetic pendulum, with a 3D printed brass version of Kepler’s published 2D model that is itself shown on the sterling silver coin centered on the 3 magnets. It is a realization of my original 2011 proposal (https://archive.bridgesmathart.org/2011/bridges2011-379.html#gsc.tab=0) that the inspiration for Kepler’s vision was the art of his time. It is also an homage to Marcel Duchamp’s “readymade” “Bicycle Wheel” as well as to what Duchamp called his “rectified readymade” “L.H.O.O.Q.”