The Art of Kinetics

The conservation of energy is a universal rule in our universe. 

This principle of nature dictates that in an isolated system, the total amount of energy has to be conserved, meaning that energy can neither be created nor obliviated. However, it can be transferred from one place to another or converted from one form to another. Now we have a better way to appreciate this law — through a form of art. 

David Roy is a renowned artist known for his brilliance in creating thousands of pieces of kinetic sculptures. With the help of his wife, the Boston University alumnus transformed the seemingly monotonous movement of pulleys, flywheels, and gears into mesmerizing art. 

When he pulls or pushes a sculpture, the kinetic energy from his hand gets transferred to his art. The movement of the sculpture eventually comes to a stop due to the loss of kinetic energy to friction (heat) and vibration (noise). By improving the design and his sculpting techniques, Roy minimizes the conversion of kinetic energy into other forms of energy, prolonging the movement of art pieces and creating the delusion of perpetual motion. 

Source: Wired via Youtube