Rock Spinner
-ON DISPLAY NOW-
Rockspinner embodies the intersection of nature's raw power and human ingenuity, transforming a massive 10-ton stone into a dynamic, interactive sculpture. At 10 feet tall, this monumental piece challenges perceptions of balance, weight, and permanence. By giving the viewer the ability to spin a seemingly immovable object with ease, the work evokes a profound sense of connection, empowerment, and wonder.
Crafting "Rockspinner" required a blend of engineering precision and artistic vision. From building a custom lifting rig in the desert to mounting the stone onto its specialized bearing, every step was an exploration of collaboration with natural forces. The sheer size and weight of the stone represent the immutable strength of the earth, while the act of spinning it symbolizes the transformative power of human interaction with the environment.
As an artist, I am captivated by the relationships between mass, motion, and the human experience. "Rockspinner" invites viewers to engage with these elements physically, bridging the gap between the monumental and the personal. Whether experienced as a playful interaction or a moment of quiet contemplation, the piece resonates with the timeless balance between effort and flow, creation and permanence.
About the Artist
Zachary Coffin (b.1968) Started making art as a photographer. Hired by the Fulton County Daily Report immediately after high high school, he spent 3 years working as a daily photojournalist. Most of the time taking pictures of lawyers at law firms, but also finding himself on the floor of the Democratic Convention in 1988 and on the scene of a federal prison riot before being of legal drinking age. He moved to New York City after being accepted to the Cooper Union and graduated with a BFA in 1993. His thesis project at Cooper was a huge human powered wing flapping machine shown at Socrates Sculpture Park. This project earned him a 15 month artist-in-residence position at the park and taught him to simplify the mechanics. While there, he built a caretaker’s house in the park and built Finnibar, Allegrow, Belltower and started on Antelumpen.
