Zachary Coffin Studio

As an artist, I turn abstract ideas into machines of metal and stone. My works exist at the intersection of technology, human interaction, biomimicry, scale, and motion. I create pieces that compel viewers to interact and explore, sculptures that draw you in, art that creates a sense of place and an opportunity for fun. I believe that playful art can lower barriers between people, spark friendships, and build communities. I draw my inspiration from two major areas: Expressions of engineering or scientific ideas. These pieces include an abstraction of the hydrogen atom (Hydrogen), a series of multi-ton boulders that spin with an easy push (Rockspinners), and a monumental structure designed to give people a completely novel and visceral experience with gravity (Temple of Gravity). Abstractions of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic forms. I draw from ancient myths, historical events, and the idea of the body in action. These pieces include a depiction of the horn section of a jazz band (Horn Section), a tethered bull inspired by an ancient Celtic myth (Finnibar), a herd of antelope activated by participants (Antelumpen), and a giant sculpture inspired by the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (Colossus). My work consists of kinetic elements and, when feasible, I build sculptures that viewers can engage with directly; for instance, huge boulders that even a child can spin. For other pieces, I activate my work with wind, using polished sails that catch the eye. Recently, I have been exploring the possibility of combining wind- and human-activated components into the same sculpture.