Macchina inutile 1956

Bruno Munari made this ‘Useless Machine,’ which is what ‘Macchina inutile’ translates to, as a kinetic sculpture, a delicate dance of balance and movement. The brushed metal surfaces reflect light in a soft, diffused way, giving the piece a kind of ethereal quality. Each component seems to float effortlessly, held together by almost invisible strings. It’s kind of like looking at a constellation, the way each element relates to the others, creating a sense of harmony. Look at the little green squares, a minimal interruption to the metallic sheen. These tiny accents feel like they might be holding the whole thing together, like a carefully placed dab of paint in a painting. Munari’s work reminds me a little of Alexander Calder, but with a more industrial, pared-down aesthetic. Both artists were interested in exploring the poetics of motion, but Munari brings a certain Italian design sensibility to the table, where form and function blur. It's not about answers, but rather about creating a space for contemplation and wonder.