Review

"Balancing", Aluminum and Steel.

Kenneth Andrew
Balancing

12 a.m.-11:59 p.m.

Art in R Park
Roe Blvd at 57th St.
Roeland Park, KS

Hours: 24 hours
Runs through: Sept. 30

Artist's site: http://www.kennethandrewdesigns.com
Art in R Park site: http://www.roelandpark.net/art-in-r-park.html

Think you're glad that spring is finally here? Kenneth Andrew's metal gymnast is downright exuberant.

Balancing -- part of Art in R Park's fourth season, which launched last Friday and runs through September -- is a ten-foot study in graceful, elegant joy. In his statement for the public art show, Andrew writes that he conceived of the soaring figure as the simplistic expression of human form in a summertime ritual of a cartwheel or handstand.

That's a trick with a high degree of difficulty, given that the figure -- made from aluminum pipe -- is balanced atop a crooked line of six metal rings. Two more rest on the concrete base, serving as visual anchors for the rising circles.

There's no mistaking the resemblance to the five rings of the Olympic flag, even though Andrew's circles are all one color and joined edge-to-edge rather than linked. The similarity, combined with the figure's posture -- seemingly effortless, yet tightly controlled -- adds to the feeling of athletic achievement.

Then again, maybe there's a circus act going on here -- one that would put Cirque du Soleil to shame. Andrew sees the circles as expressive silhouettes of balls ... added to complete the fun nature and further the sense of equilibrium in the piece. (The more I looked at the circles, the more they reminded me of bubbles. Balancing on globes of air-filled soap film -- now that would be a feat.)

This performance in metal is best viewed from the south, if you're seeing it from your vehicle.

Andrew's piece stands in the median of Roe Boulevard, near where it intersects with 57th Street in Roeland Park. Balance is partially screened on the north side by several trees -- including a redbud, now in full pink bloom. While the blooms obstruct the view from the north,  they serve as a beautiful backdrop when the sculpture is seen from the opposite direction.

The best approach, though, is to pull over on 57th, park and walk out to the median for a leisurely in-the-round viewing. Sure, Andrew's creation is showing off ... but sometimes, a bid for attention is well worth heeding.

And if you get inspired to turn a few cartwheels of your own ... just remember to stay on the grass.

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