Page 96 - David Bermant Foundation

dAvId durlAch deScrIBeS “dAncIng TreeS”“This sculpture is a controllable kinetic landscape which weaves metal and magnetism into music and dance. It is a 9-inch by 9-inch grid of cactus- like objects made of permanent magnets that self- organize into delicate spikes above a latticework of magnets. The iron powder covering the tray is quite light and has a very fast response time, allowing it to spring to life in a variety of performances as it ‘dances’ to the music.”DAVID DURLACH Dancing Trees 1992 67”H x 77”W x 38”DdAvId durlAch To dWB (1991)“Your installation is by far the largest and most complex task I have ever taken on, primarily as a consequence of its having to be simultaneously vandal-resistant, weatherproof, portable, relatively quiet, field-repairable, and visually attractive as well. It has been required that I learn about topics as disparate as galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals, marine grade acoustic damping foam, international copyright law, thermoelectric air conditioners, stainless steel grating material (to prevent rodents from making their nests and pissing in the warm a/c vent area), stainless steel leveling feet and many many other topics too numerous to mention.”“I must tell you that ‘Dancing Trees’ was a great success; people still come by and ask about it, little children weep and moan and adults gnash their teeth because it is no longer here . . . I just want you to know that it is probably the most successful art work that we have had here for quite awhile. I know that you are quite proud of this work, and you should know that the people of this area are very enthused.”—Joseph Bermant (DWB’s brother) to David Durlach“I want to thank you for all your intense efforts which I think resulted in one of the master works of our time.We shall show it with great pride.”—DWB (Letter to David Durlach, 1992)95