| | Published February 19th, 2020
| Alu-Motion: the newest public art display in Moraga
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | From left, Alu-Motion sculptor Buddy Brodwin and Teresa Onoda Photo Vera Kochan |
At the intersection of Rheem Boulevard and Moraga Road is a small plot of land known as "the triangle." The Moraga Garden Club maintains the area with seasonal flowers, providing an oasis in the middle of one of the town's busiest thoroughfares. A new art installation, Alu-Motion, joins the garden in the triangle thanks to the efforts of the Art in Public Spaces Committee.
The former mayor of Moraga, Teresa Onoda, is the APSC founder, chair of the committee and liaison to the town council, who describes the red, 10 foot by 8 foot "weather vane-like" kinetic sculpture as an "elegant red lady; with a bit of a breeze she shows her ballroom moves."
Lafayette resident and Alu-Motion creator Buddy Brodwin is a retired dentist who always enjoyed art. While in San Francisco, he came upon a metal kinetic sculpture by artist George Rickey that intrigued him. Taking it to the next level, Brodwin began taking metal classes at Oakland's "The Crucible" to hone his craft. Turning his garage into a studio, he surfed the internet for ideas.
"I'm creative, but not that creative," Brodwin joked. "I'm learning and following others."
Through trial and error Brodwin began to turn out sculptures that expressed the artistic statements he wished to make. "Alu-Motion is my first public piece," he stated. "It's similar to one I made initially that was out of steel. This is aluminum."
Brodwin's creations came to Onoda's attention when he spotted her at her booth during Lafayette's Art and Wine Festival. In the process of catching up with each other, Brodwin showed Onoda pictures of his sculptures. "I felt that an ultimate expression and culmination of my art would be placing a piece in the public domain," Brodwin explained. "I am thrilled and excited by this opportunity, as well as for the strong winds that typically are found in the area!"
Onoda pointed out that Alu-Motion comes with no expense to the town. Brodwin donated it to Moraga. "Art in Public Spaces was started in 2015. Our mission is to create joy and a sense of wonder," Onoda said. "We now have 10 sculptures - nine on loan from sculptors and one, the orange bench, at the library. We WILL (Women of Moraga Instilling a Lasting Legacy) bought that for the town. Art brings joy and surprises to us all. Buddy`s sculpture does just that." |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA