Exploring kinetic design through InterPlay24 and Kinetica Museum’s evolving role in motion-led creativity
Image Credit: Ray Lee ‘Circles of Ether’ at Kinetica Museum, 2007
Movement and meaning have long been entwined in the world of kinetic design — and Kinetica Museum has played a pivotal role in pushing this dialogue forward. A recent feature in ArtHub Magazine, written by Michalina Maria Franasik, explores the rich territory of motion-led design and celebrates InterPlay24, an innovative competition nurturing a new generation of kinetic thinkers. Below, we reflect on some highlights from the article and Kinetica’s own journey through the art of movement.
Kinetica’s Legacy in Kinetic Art
Since its founding in 2006, Kinetica Museum has championed artists and designers working at the intersection of science, technology and movement. Our exhibitions have brought to public attention a dynamic art form often overlooked: one that invites interaction, disrupts traditional viewing experiences, and embraces real and illusory motion alike.
As Jasia Reichardt wrote in her seminal essay for Kinetica’s Art on the Move exhibition, kinetic art “operates on multiple levels”, transforming the act of viewing into an experience of discovery. From Calder’s iconic mobiles to Bruce Lacey’s robotic provocations, kinetic works continue to ask questions, shift perspectives, and capture the imagination.
Spotlight on InterPlay24
We’re proud to have supported InterPlay24 – the latest iteration of a design competition that foregrounds what’s being called “4D Design,” where motion is intrinsic to both form and function. Organised by the Design Education Trust, InterPlay24 offers students a platform to push boundaries and reimagine everyday objects as responsive, expressive, even poetic.
Kinetica’s own Art Director, Dianne Harris, joined a panel of expert judges for the competition, which brought together minds from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College’s Innovation Design Engineering course. This cross-disciplinary approach reflects the values we uphold at Kinetica — collaboration, experimentation, and a shared curiosity about how technology can enhance our experience of the world.
Design That Moves and Inspires
Among the standout entries:
- Urban Elegance by Joe Jones and Holly Souza-Newman imagined a sculptural pedestrian crossing that turns an everyday wait into a moment of reflection.
- Planetary Projector by Liu Guannan and Tong Zhang explored chaos and harmony through a moving desktop sculpture that doubles as a lamp.
- Balance Lamp by Alex Clark offered a quiet meditation on stability, only lighting up when perfectly poised.
Each of these designs points to a growing appreciation of movement not just as spectacle, but as a meaningful layer in how we live, work and interact.
A Shared Vision for Kinetic Futures
As Alec Robertson, Director of InterPlay, observes: “Aesthetic motion is often neglected in design.” At Kinetica, we’ve long believed in the power of movement — not just for the sake of novelty, but as a vital and underused language of design. Through our exhibitions and collaborations, we continue to explore how kinetic ideas can enrich daily life, offering moments of play, pause, and poetic resonance.
Read the full original article on ArtHub Magazine written by Michalina Maria Franasik