Artwork copyright Micajah Bienvenu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Micajah Bienvenu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Micajah Bienvenu. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Flexibility, 2007

Micajah Bienvenu
American (born 1963)

Location: Richland High School, Richland

About the Artwork

Artist Micajah Bienvenu's kinetic sculpture Flexibility is inspired by the wind. The top of the artwork is like a cloud formation or a wind pattern, and the entire sculpture turns in the wind. Bienvenu was inspired by time spent in Eastern Washington experiencing the wind. He notes, "From powering the tumbleweeds of my youth to the spinning windmills and wineries of today, the wind blows steady and those that are flexible are our future." The metal surface textures also imitate gusts of wind on a blustery day. The textures are created using zirconium (artificial diamond) sandpaper. The surfaces almost look like holograms and reflect the world around them.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Richland School District.

About the Artist

Micajah Bienvenu creates abstract metal sculptures for public spaces. He studied at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Southeastern Washington, and is based in the San Juan Islands, in North Puget Sound, Western Washington.