Kinetic Painting: The Lumidyne System

Frank Malina

01/01/1968

Eng

I developed the Lumidyne system in 1956, the main composition is painted on a fixed, transparent plate (the Stator), and a design is painted on a rotating transparent disc (the Rotor). Light from incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes is transmitted directly through the Rotor and then the Stator on to a translucent plate (the Diffusor) to produce a picture combining light, color and movement […] The Lumia of Wilfred creates a picture the composition and colors of which change with time; my Lumidyne has movement and changing colors within a fixed composition; and the kinetic paintings utilizing polarizing materials have either a fixed or a changing composition together with changing colors […] There is a back board for supporting fluorescent or incandescent lights, an electric motor for driving the Rotor, and reflecting surfaces, such as mirrors. Ventilating holes in the back board and at the top and the bottom of the case are provided to reduce the temperature within the case. The Stator and Diffusor plates are shown in front of the Rotor. A wire or plastic mesh maybe placed in front of the Diffusor to give texture to the picture, and may also be used as a surface for a static painting which is visible when the kinetic painting is not in operation. The Rotor and Stator are made of glass or transparent plastic material; the Diffusor of ground glass or translucid plastic material.

Frank Malina, Kinetic Painting: The Lumidyne System , in «Leonardo», Vol. 1, No. 1, The Mitt Press, 01/01/1968, Cambridge
tipologia
ambito

pp. 25-26

Lumidyne System (Eng)

Kinetic Art (Eng), Kinetic paintings (Eng), Kinoptic System (Eng)