Twists Of Fate

George Beckman’s kinetic sculpture “Clef” is an homage to flight and freedom.

For as long as he can remember, George Beckman has looked to the sky. Born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania across the river from Piper Aircraft Company, he was never far from the window where he watched the first Piper Cubs taking flight in 1937. When he was old enough, he crossed the Susquehanna River and lay in the tall grass by the runway, eyes on the clouds, sometimes waiting all day to see a bright yellow Cub glide through.

Today George is best known for his kinetic sculpture art, which at first glance looks like massive ribbons of stainless steel stopped mid-twirl. But with the slightest push, each band follows its own arc, weaving gracefully around the others in quiet harmony. 

The curves of each band – both at rest and in motion – are aerodynamically inspired. George’s boyhood fascination led to a 14-year stint in the United States Air Force where he was part of an aerobatic team that flew in synchrony. “These are radical maneuvers, like aerobatics would be,” says George as he watches “Cosmic Dancer” move. Each band is a flight pattern; each piece is a slow-motion air show. And its meaning goes beyond that. George’s art is an homage to flight and freedom, but his creative process has been something spiritual.