{{Short description|American artist}} {{Infobox artist | name = Robert Perless | image = Robert Perless.jpg | caption = Robert Perless in his studio | birth_name = | birth_date = 1938 | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York | death_date = September 8, 2023<ref>{{cite web |last1=Semmes |first1=Anne |title=Celebrating the Inventive and Kinetic Sculptor Robert Perless – R.I.P. |url=https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2023/10/13/celebrating-the-inventive-and-kinetic-sculptor-robert-perless-r-i-p/ |website=Greenwich Sentinel |publisher=Greenwich Sentinel |access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref> | death_place = Greenwich, Connecticut | movement = Kinetic Art | awards = | patrons = | imagesize = | field = Kinetic Art | training = | works = Dream Weaver 2008, Sun Dagger 2004, Orion's Belt 2002, }} [[File:DreamWeaver.jpg|thumb|240px|Dream Weaver (2008). 20’ high; welded aluminum, holographic material. Howell Cheney Technical High School, Manchester, Connecticut.]] [[File:SolarWind 2000.jpg|thumb|240px| Solar Wind (2000). 28’ high; stainless steel and polymer prisms. Wind and light interactive. Utah Arts Council, Salt Lake Community College.]]
'''Robert Perless''' was an American artist whose particular focus is kinetic art sculptures.
== Personal background ==
Perless was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938. He studied Art and Engineering at the University of Miami in Florida.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} In 1978 after working in cramped quarters in New York City, Perless determined to build an all-metal house and studio in Greenwich, Connecticut. He contracted architect John Ciardullo who designed a house and studio framed in steel, with aluminum exterior paneling, which Perless built himself, welding and erecting the structure and sculptural railings and cutting and hanging the exterior Alucobond panels. The large sculpture studio with 25 foot high ceilings is part of the main structure.<ref>Slesin, Suzanne. [https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/15/magazine/cast-in-medal.html "Cast in Metal."] ''New York Times Magazine'', Part 2. April 15, 1984, pp 34–35.</ref><ref>GA Houses 17, February 1985, Pp.60-67</ref><ref>"Amours d'aluminium," Decoration Internationale, Octobre 1983 Pp.82-95</ref><ref>"Modern Sanctum," Interior Design, October 1985 Pp.242-243 et seq.</ref>
== Kinetic Art == Perless was part of the Kinetic Art movement. He has created kinetic structures as public artworks for municipalities, post-secondary educational institutions as well as private sector commissioned art installations for various corporations. His works were discussed at the first International Kinetic Art Symposium February 9, 2013 in the presentation on the link between Kinetic Art and the generation of Electricity from the wind; They were also discussed during the ''Breaking The Barriers'' panel discussion and detailed in the presentation following the panel discussion on how his 40 years of Kinetic Art works, lead to the development of small wind turbines for use in urban environments.<ref>[http://intlkineticartevent.org/?page_id=71 Presentation Review]</ref><ref>[http://intlkineticartevent.org/ 2013 International Kinetic Art Exhibit & Symposium, Boynton Beach, Florida, Feb 8 - 10, 2013]</ref>
== Body of work ==
The works were created in his large Greenwich studio adjacent to his home, using industrial materials. His works were inspired by early 20th-century modern sculptors, including the Russian Constructivists, the Italian Futurists, and European and American masters who used new materials and the concept of motion and speed in art and life.<ref>"Cosmic Conversations" Greenwich Magazine, September, 2006</ref><ref>"Aerodynamic Abstract Art" Greenwich Time, Monday, July 9, 2001</ref>
=== Selected sculptures === ''Orion's Belt'', Corpus Christi, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://culturenow.org/entry&permalink=17743&seo=Orions-Belt_Robert-Perless-and-Corpus-Christi-Public-Art-Collection|title=CultureNOW - Orion's Belt: Robert Perless and Corpus Christi Public Art Collection}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cctexas.com/Assets/Departments/Parks-and-Recreations/Files/35%20Bayfront%20Art%20Tour_031708.pdf Orion's Belt]</ref><ref>"Over the Rainbow with Greenwich's Perless" ''The Greenwich Citizen'', Friday, September 29, 2006</ref><ref>"Orion’s Belt Shows City’s Coastal History" Corpus Christi Caller Times 4/16/01</ref>
''Sun Dagger'' (2004), on the campus of Utah Valley University, Wasatch in Heber City, Utah.<ref>[https://www.publicartarchive.org/art/Sun-Dagger "Sun Dagger: Heber City, Utah"], Public Art Archive</ref><ref>[http://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/resources/publications_surveys/documents/annual_report_fy05.pdf Utah Arts Council, Annual Report 2005 page 6]</ref><ref>''The Public Art Review'', Vol. 16, No. 2, Page 67</ref>
''Solar Wind'', on the High Tech Campus of Salt Lake Community College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://culturenow.org/entry&permalink=18882&seo=Solar-Wind_Robert-Perless-and-Utah-Public-Art-Program|title = CultureNOW - Solar Wind: Robert Perless and Utah Public Art Program}}</ref><ref>The Public Art Review, Spring/Summer 2002</ref>
=== Selected collections ===
His works have been acquired by museums and public galleries including: *Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, Connecticut<ref>{{cite news|last=Genocchio|first=Benjamin|author-link=Benjamin Genocchio|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/15/nyregion/it-s-back-to-the-future-for-the-aldrich-museum.html|title=It's Back to the Future for the Aldrich Museum|date=June 15, 2003|newspaper=The New York Times|page=1|quote=In the 1980's, the museum sold works by Louise Nevelson and Frank Stella, among others. The remaining collection includes pieces by Vik Muniz, Scott Richter, Nassos Daphnis, Robert Perless and Melissa Meyer, all of whom are taking their works back.|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Charles|first=Eleanor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/20/nyregion/connecticut-guide-491136.html|title=Connecticut Guide|date=March 20, 1994|newspaper=The New York Times|quote=Among the creators of the designs were Roger Ferris, architect; Robert Perless, sculptor; James Grashow, artist, and David Collins, curator of the Storm King Art Center.|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19971029&id=dBNJAAAAIBAJ&pg=6260,3883698|title=Exhibits: Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art|date=October 30, 1997|newspaper=The Hour|department=On the Town|via=Google News|quote=New sculpture by Robert Perless installed in the Museum's sculpture garden|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref> *Boca Raton Museum of Art, Boca Raton, Florida{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *Oklahoma Art Center, University of Oklahoma, {{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Stamford, Connecticut{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collection.whitney.org/object/131|title=Robert Perless: Heavy Construction Number 2 1969|publisher=Whitney Museum of American Art|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref> *William Benton Museum of Art, Storrs, Connecticut<ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.uconn.edu/event/15617/2011-06-22|title=Campus Art Walk|year=2011|publisher=University of Connecticut|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?A=2214&Q=275734|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205184631/http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?A=2214&Q=275734|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 5, 2007|title=Public Art Tour: University of Connecticut, Storrs Castleman Building|publisher=Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?A=2214&Q=526732|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825184953/http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?A=2214&Q=526732|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 25, 2016|title=Robert Perless Connecticut Artist|publisher=Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref>
=== Selected exhibitions ===
Perless's work has been exhibited in solo and group shows, including: *2012 Sculptors Guild, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *2008 ''In-Site'' Governor’s Island, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *2006 ''Robert Perless: Public Visions'' One-Man Show, Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, CT{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *2006 ''Sculpture in the Park,'' White Plains, NY *2004 Art Omi International Arts Center, Omi, New York *2003 Sculpture Now, Stockbridge, MS{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *2001 ''Space 2001,'' Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *2000 ''12X12X12,'' Greenwich Art Society *1997‘94‘87‘78 Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1995 ''Environmental Sculptures'', Kukje Gallery, Seoul, Korea.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1991 - 96 Andre Emmerich’s Top Gallant Farm Sculpture Garden, Quaker Hill, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1991 ‘92 Paris-New York-Kent Gallery, Kent, CT{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1989 ''Connecticut Biennial'' Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1980 Taft Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1976 Bonino Gallery, One-Man Show, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1975 Forum Gallery, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1972 Bernard Danenberg Gallery, One-Man Show, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1970 ''Light, Motion, & Sound'', Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1970 ''Eclectra ‘70'' Pepsico, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1970 Whitney Museum, New York, NY{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1969 Galerie Simonne Stern, One-Man Show, New Orleans, LA{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} *1968 Bodley Gallery, One-Man Show, New York, NY {{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External images == *[http://www.sculptorsguild.org/perless.html Sculptors Guild Images of Perless' work] *[http://www.cavaliergalleries.com/html/ArtistResults.asp?artist=866 Works: ''Rainbow Monad'', 2006 ; ''Molecular Exploration'', 2002; ''Molecule'', 2002] *{{YouTube|3M_PvWBsm8o|Public Sculptures, 2009 Video 9 min. 30 sec.}} *[http://www.palmdesertartistregistry.com/robert_perless.htm Photos of Perless kinetic sculptures]
== External links == {{commons category|Robert Perless}} * {{official|http://www.perless.com}} * [http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/biography.aspx?artist=10041931 Ask Art Biographical Information]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perless, Robert}} Category:2023 deaths Category:1938 births Category:20th-century American sculptors Category:20th-century American male artists Category:21st-century American sculptors Category:21st-century American male artists Category:American male sculptors Category:University of Miami alumni Category:Artists from Brooklyn