Ralfonso was kind enough to answer a few questions for Retro Info...

Your art has an "other worldy", futuristic design to it. Where do you find
your inspiration? Are you into science fiction?

----- I am a very visual person - so I get inspired by shapes and
structures I find in nature
and often by engineering designs which show that Form AND Function can
create something that is more beautiful than its components...
On the whole I like very clean designs.

--------Sometime I get the design concept instantly when I see the
clients space - I LOVE those moments!

Are you a fan of Alexander Calder? Would you say you are the "Calder of the
New Millenium"?

-------Yes, Calder is one of my kinetic heroes, - not only for the
exceptional new art he created, but for his passion for his art - and that
he stayed such a childlike and "normal" spirit,
without succumbing to the demands of his international fame.

-------I would never even think of comparing my art to the achievements of
Calder...

Where do you construct such huge sculptures? How do you do it? Do you work
alone or do you have assistants?

------- I mostly design the sculpture in CAD 3dimensional software, then
create the basic engineering specs and plans - and then forward these design specs to a suitable fabricator.

I have had work done in Switzerland and Germany (excellent quality - but
expensive), but now I have most of my models and maquettes (2-6ft) as well
as the actual large sculptures fabricated in China
where the interest, passion is very high - and the prices are very low.

------ On very large projects I hire assistance, but mostly I work and
supervise the fabrication and installation alone.

How are they transported and installed in their destinations?

------ In segments which are crated for international freight - then shipped transatlantic and onward via overland trucks. This way I have delivered sculptures in the USA and in Europe - all the way to St. Petersburg, Russia.

-------For large public sculptures I recreate the space in 3D in the
computer from the architects drawings (or CAD files) I then model the
sculptures, size, color, set up, spacing etc so that the client can
virtually walk around it and see how it will look and feel - and more
importantly, how it will MOVE )
I always like to personally supervise the installation - although my
suspended mobiles are so simple that I just enclose very precise hanging
instructions, so that the clients staff can do it themselves....

What is your favorite piece you have created? Why?

------- My favorite seems to always be the one I am working on at the moment.
For me the adventuresome journey from inspiration to concept to detailed
plans to actual moving sculpture is magic!!!
I get VERY excited about a new design concept, and then can not wait to
make the first drawings (directly in CAD) and build a small paper or
cardboard maquette

What's up with Ralfonso for 2007? Artists plans, teaching plans?
-------Overall I enjoyed a very creative and successful year 2006 - and am
thrilled and looking forward to this year 2007!
Certainly the highlight in 2006 was my invitation to speak about my passion - Kinetic Art - in front of the Olympic Committee! They invited me to Beijing to speak at their October Sculpture Conference "Public Art for the Olympic Games", as well as keynote speeches at the Beijing Central Academy of Art and the Tsinghua University.
What wonderful energy and interest in Kinetic Art for Public Places!!!

The other highlights were my winning or placing as a finalist in several
International Competitions - and our first Kinetic Art Only Exhibition with the Kinetic Art Organization (KAO) www.kinetic-art.org at the famed Grounds for Sculpture Park in New Jersey.

-------I am so very much looking forward to spending about 1 month in Beijing, China in May 2007, - to teach the very first Kinetic Art Course at the Central Academy of Art -
the interest for kinetic and optical art is tremendous!!! Finally - this
year I am in the process of fabricating my first NON-kinetic - (optical)
sculptures.

2007 will be GREAT!

For more information on Ralfonso and The Kinetic Art Organization, contact Ralfonso
Kinetic Sculptures
for Public Places
T. +1 561 655 2745
F. +1 561 655 4158
www.ralfonso.com
ralfonso@ralfonso.com