“Rein Triefeldt’s Solar Vision is a powerful new direction for public art.”
- Sculpture magazine, December 2003

Rein Triefeldt is thought to be the first kinetic sculptor to make use of solar panels in order to create motion in his sculpture. Triefeldt has specialized in kinetic sculpture since 1986. The art focuses on the rich but largely uncharted realms of light, rhythm, balance and motion. The interactive and playful elements of Triefeldt’s work make it a popular choice for art and science museums, public parks and gardens. His commissioned public art can be found in many collections around the world.

The Solar Tree project is under way with the solar tree club of North Hillsborough Elementary School in California and school teacher Angela Ping-Ong as the product of ongoing class about alternative energy and conservation. Click here to read more about their project.

The solar sculptures, designed for 24' in height yet scalable larger or smaller, are constructed of marine-grade stainless steel and is capable of producing electricity to power 2 average energy-efficient American homes. Connected to its local power grid, energy produced by the sculpture would receive energy credits.

A monitoring system collects information about solar energy production from the sculpture that can be displayed on a touch screen kiosk. The kiosk displays more than 50 reports including current and total power output and pollution savings in tons of atmospheric greenhouse gases.

The Solar Tree Foundation was established to help organizations raise funds to install solar sculptures in their communities. You can lend a hand by suggesting organizations and sites that would benefit from a solar sculpture in their community. Email Rein to get involved.

Recently completed Sunny Isles Beach Blue, a light kinetic sculpture made of bronze, stainless steel and black granite with a 10' wing span, was delivered in February and is to be installed soon at Senator Gwen Margolis Park, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. The wings are treated with pigments containing micro prisms. This enables the wings color to subtly fluctuate with changes in position or light.

Triefeldt has been involved in numerous outdoor installations, most recently at Quark Park in Princeton, New Jersey. The Stellarator was a creative collaboration between the Triefeldt and the scientist Rob Goldston, PhD, Director of the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton University. The Stellarator project combines the advanced concepts of Plasma Physics technology into a large kinetic sculpture — making the technology approachable to the public while using art as an education tool.

The sculpture Chaotic Flyers is part of an ongoing series of works demonstrating kinetics and energy transfer. It has been added to the newest exhibit at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, Sir Isaac’s Loft:
Where Art and Physics Collide.  

Triefeldt has created hand-activated bronze kinetic sculptures for Cirque du Soleil, which were inspired by the performers.

His Solar Butterfly was recently displayed at Miami Beach Botanical Garden and featured in the Miami Herald. The work incorporates solar panels into the design, giving motion to the wings of the Solar Butterfly.

Triefeldt is co-founder and a board member of Kinetic-Art.Org, an international non-profit association. With more than 1,000 members in 60 countries, KAO is the largest kinetic art organization in the world.

He received his MFA in sculpture at the University of Windsor, Ontario, and taught sculpture at The College of New Jersey. Rein has trained apprentices and staff in casting, fabrication and installation of monumental sculpture projects for the Johnson Atelier Institute of Sculpture.

Triefeldt's studio features a full metal workshop with specialized welding, metal cutting, drilling and polishing equipment. He often works in coordination with foundries, fabricators, architects, landscape firms, scientists, and general contactors. To assure a high standard of work and proper placement, he manages the installation of his sculptures himself. Rein has experience with projects that range from $25,000 to more than $500,000. He often handles several large-scale projects simultaneously and has a reputation for completing quality projects on time and within budget. Triefeldt's sculptures are designed with the greatest concern for public safety, they are made from tough marine quality materials such as bronze and stainless steel, which are durable and require low maintenance.

Rein lives in New Jersey with his wife, Laurie Triefeldt, artist and author of the World of Wonder.
Contact Rein Triefeldt at rein@triefeldt.com for a proposal.	Resume	Bio