Custom Rolling Ball Sculptures & Kinetic Art
Looking for a one-of-a-kind kinetic sculpture for a business, museum, office, public space or private collection? I design and build custom rolling ball sculptures by hand in my Northern California studio.
Since 2003, I’ve created rolling ball sculptures ranging from small tabletop pieces to large-scale kinetic installations. Every sculpture is individually designed and built using welded metal tracks, moving marbles and mechanical elements that create a constantly changing display of motion.
Custom rolling ball sculpture installation created for a public children's space.
Custom Sculptures for Businesses, Museums & Public Spaces
Rolling ball sculptures are especially well suited for spaces where people gather, wait, explore or interact. The continuous movement of the marbles naturally attracts attention and gives visitors something new to discover each time they watch.
I create custom kinetic sculptures for museums, science centers, corporate offices, hospitals, hotels, public spaces and other commercial environments. A sculpture can be designed around the available space, architecture, theme and goals of the project.
Projects can range from wall-mounted sculptures and freestanding pieces to large-scale kinetic installations. I work directly with clients to develop the size, layout, mechanical elements, materials and visual character of each sculpture.
Types of Custom Rolling Ball Sculptures
Every commission is different. I can build rolling ball sculptures for a wide range of spaces, from compact tabletop pieces and wall-mounted sculptures to freestanding works and large permanent installations.
Depending on the project, a sculpture can incorporate chain lifts, helical lifts, loops, spirals, track switches, tipping arms and other mechanical elements. The movement, materials, scale and complexity can all be tailored to the location and the people who will experience it.
Commission a Custom Rolling Ball Sculpture
Every custom sculpture begins with a conversation. You don't need to know exactly what the finished sculpture should look like. Tell me about the space, approximate size, your ideas and what you'd like the sculpture to accomplish, and I'll help develop the project from there.
I work with private collectors, businesses, museums, science centers, designers and organizations on commissions ranging from smaller individual pieces to large-scale permanent installations. Projects can be shipped or installed depending on their size and location.
How the Custom Sculpture Process Works
Commissioning a rolling ball sculpture is a collaborative process. Some clients come to me with detailed ideas, while others simply have a space and want to know what is possible. Either approach works.
1. Tell Me About Your Project
Send me information about the location, approximate dimensions, intended audience, budget range and any ideas or themes you would like incorporated.
2. Design & Planning
We'll discuss the scale, style, materials and mechanical elements that make sense for the project. I develop the sculpture around the space rather than trying to fit an existing design into it.
3. Building the Sculpture
I fabricate and assemble the sculpture by hand in my Northern California studio. The tracks and mechanisms are built, adjusted and tested until the balls move reliably through the entire sculpture.
4. Delivery & Installation
Depending on the size and location, completed sculptures can be shipped or delivered and installed. Large-scale projects are planned with transportation and installation requirements in mind from the beginning.
Custom Rolling Ball Sculpture FAQ
How much does a custom rolling ball sculpture cost?
Every sculpture is individually designed, so pricing depends on size, complexity, materials, mechanical elements and installation requirements. Small sculptures and large permanent installations are very different projects. Contact me with your approximate size, location and ideas, and I can help determine what is practical for your budget.
Can you create a rolling ball sculpture for a business or corporate office?
Yes. I create custom kinetic sculptures for businesses, offices and commercial spaces. Sculptures can be designed around a company's space, architecture, colors, branding or theme, from smaller display pieces to large permanent installations.
Do you make sculptures for museums and science centers?
Yes. Rolling ball sculptures are particularly well suited to museums, science centers and educational environments because they combine kinetic art with visible demonstrations of gravity, momentum, potential energy and mechanical motion.
Can you make wall-mounted rolling ball sculptures?
Yes. I build wall-mounted, freestanding, tabletop and large-scale rolling ball sculptures. Wall-mounted designs are especially useful when floor space is limited or when the sculpture needs to become part of the architecture of a room.