Spanish artist SpY has recently unveiled a striking new kinetic sculpture titled ‘Cycles’ in Madrid, Spain. This mesmerizing public artwork transforms perception through motion, embodying SpY’s ongoing exploration of geometry in motion and kinetic art systems.
Composed of nine rotating rings of varying diameters, ‘Cycles’ rests in a state of delicate equilibrium. The rings pivot on their axes, driven by a sophisticated dual-direction rotation mechanism concealed within the base. This engineering enables a perpetual choreography, where the sculpture continuously generates infinite visual patterns. The effect is a living artwork in constant flux, directly sculpting timeas a core material.
As the rings turn at variable speeds, they manipulate the viewer’s visual perception dramatically. A circle seen head-on morphs into an ellipse from another angle, creating compelling optical illusions. This constant rotation intentionally disrupts the spatial reading of the form, causing a palpable sense of visual disorientation. Stable figures dissolve into ambiguity, actively blurring notions of depth and movement. SpY masterfully employs movement and time as sculptural materials to induce a state of perceptual dislocation.
“‘Cycles’ invites us to reconsider sculptural form not as static, but as a dynamic consequence of motion,” the artist told us. The work demands an active gaze, transforming observation into a physical and mental engagement. It represents a significant evolution in SpY’s investigation into kinetic systems and how they can reshape audience experience within urban art contexts.
This large-scale installation exemplifies public art that transcends decoration, provoking thought about stability, transformation, and the very nature of seeing. Visitors in Madrid are drawn into its hypnotic rhythm, witnessing firsthand how engineered movement crafts ephemeral beauty and challenges sensory certainty.