How to Make a Mobile

Kinetic art, commonly known as the mobile, can be as simple or complex as you would like to make it. Most of us are aware of mobiles that entertain babies and some of us remember creating solar systems with Styrofoam balls and wire. Today's kinetic art sculptures are far cry from Styrofoam and coat hangers. Know the basics, and you can create a masterpiece uniquely your own. Read on to learn how to make a mobile.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dowel rods of various shapes and lengths
• Wire or fishing line
• Weighted objects of your choice

1. Thread a thin wire or fishing line through the center of a wooden dowel.
2. Hang art pieces of equal weight on either side of the dowel, adjusting so that the dowel hangs relatively straight. This creates the basic structure of a mobile.
3. Apply more weight to one side than the other to create a unique design, keeping the dowel straight by adjusting the placement of the two art pieces.
4. Vary the placement of the wire or thread along the length of the dowel to accommodate art pieces of differing weights. Place the wire closer to the end that carries more weight.
5. Build upon this basic kinetic design by adding more dowels and or art pieces as weights until you are satisfied with the final outcome, making a mobile with variable levels and multiple art objects.
6. Decorate your weights and dowels in any manner of your choosing.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the principles of balance are mastered, you can create kinetic art mobiles from anything you choose.
• Create kinetic art mobiles with children to hang in their rooms.

Who Can Help:

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