Limee Young

South Korean artist Limee Young makes incredibly complex kinetic sculptures out of mechanical components such as steel, central processing units, conductors, and microprocessors. The result is unbelievably beautiful and interesting machinelike sculptures that also serve no real function.  He always names his pieces in a way that helps the viewer understand what the piece might actually be intended to do. For example, he has made a secret keeping machine. You can tell it all of your secrets and it won’t tell a soul. Also, there’s a machine that is supposed to magnify love and help it to mature. How they do it is entirely up to the imagination, which to me is half the fun of his pieces.

The Dark Eating Machine
steel, micro processor, dc motor, servo motor, plywood 150(cm) x 350(cm) x 150(cm) / 2011

After looking at many of Young’s sculptures I’d have to say that one of his most visually compelling pieces is The Dark Eating Machine. With its long curving limbs it’s hard to not wonder “what IS that?” when you first see it. It is also a lot larger than most of his other kinetic works, so that alone makes it more compelling. I watched the video and it really looks like a science fiction creature methodically devouring its power source. By using a lot of organic shapes in the tendrils Young gave the machine a naturalistic edge that is more than a little eerie.

Silence of the wolf - Secret keeping machine

stainless steel, micro processor, dc motor, micro dc motor, mdf, cement, acryl / 65(cm) x 65(cm) x 220(cm) / 2012

"Love Tower" shown below starts at about 1min. 10sec.

love tower - love magnifying & maturing machine
stainless steel, cpu board, dc motor, servo motor, pyrex tube, oil, white birch 40 x 55 x 40 (cm) 2008