Heir to the Kinetic Art Movement

Emmanuelle Rybojad Dives Deeper Into the Universe of Kinetic Art

Derived from the Greek “Kinesis,” a word representing motion or change in Aristotelian philosophy, Kinetic art has origins in Dadaist and Constructivist movements. The school is fascinated by the possibility of movement in art, and inspired by new artistic expression during the turn of the twentieth century which moved past the boundaries of traditional art, and instead explored the idea that beauty could be a product of movement or optical illusion. With these ideas in mind, Kinetic Art explores movement and motion in art in three ways: through natural movement, using kinetic sculptures powered by motors or air currents, through mechanical movement, using motors or mechanics, or by way of optical illusion, affectionately nicknamed “Op-Art”, where artists use geometric shapes to distort viewer perception, creating static works that give the impression of movement.

A self-taught visual artist and heir to the Kinetic Art movement, Emmanuelle Rybojad grew up alongside a collector stepfather, and surrounded by art. Her spellbinding and innovative work reflects a diverse and deep curiosity cultivated by centuries of artistic movements, guiding Emmanuelle to understand that art is experienced when one pushes one’s limits. Influenced by modern and avant garde artists, she began to consider art elsewhere than on the walls, or deep within the wall, and began creating installations of mirrored light sculpture inspired by the symbols of pop culture and the 70s. Her workshop includes new materials and uses various media, including mirrors, neon lights, LEDs, and has created works out of Rubik’s cubes, strips of neon, geometric shapes put into perspective by an assembly of mirrors, and so much more. Emmanuelle’s enchanting and illuminating work reflects a new moment in the deep and branching history of Fine Art, where kinetic art meets technology and the universe.

Emmanuelle’s mirrored installations create an image of infinity, almost how one would imagine outer space, all light and darkness and never-ending. In works like “Deep Soul,” Rybojad uses geometric shape to suggest limitless depth, combining one of the elemental shapes of creation with a common trope signifying intricacy, profundity, gravity, and understanding. And her work is profound. Diverging from the Dadaist origins of Kinetic and Op-Art, Rybojad invests great meaning in her works. These are not found objects given new life with mechanics, but sculptures which are detailed works of art, deeply rooted in art theory, technology, and a contemporary meditation.

However, Rybojad hasn’t lost her sense of humor. Clever works such as “Bla Bla Bla,” and “Infinity Heart”, play off language and emotion that can seem never-ending, reverberating back into the mirror as far back as the eye can observe. Emmanuelle’s art explores new ways to create and experience art by seeking to divert objects of their main function and reimagine them in terms of their interactive relationship with the audience. These enlightened challenges have lead her to amazing achievements in artistic hybrid thought, where art is thought of as an experience. Her work is resolutely current, imprinted with a multi-generational modernity that challenges and encourages introspection. See more in her collection!