Six Number Two
1967
Stainless steel with wire cable
Kenneth Snelson
American, b. Pendleton, Oregon, 1927
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1980
Snelson relies on the opposing forces of tension and compression, a relationship he terms “tensegrity,” to lend stability and strength to his creations. Fascinated by the structure of weaving patterns and the atom, his work reflects his appreciation for the complex network of forces that comprise the universe. Six Number Two, like his other pieces, appears rather delicate, but is surprisingly strong. Snelson’s work is noted for this apparent contradiction: they appear precarious, yet the use of modern materials, coupled with his precise designs, results in an elegantly sturdy structure.
“The wires and metal tubes are my keyboard, on which I play my three-dimensional spatial game. It’s like playing a violin.” -Kenneth Snelson