michael grothusen

Sculptural objects are only one component of a successful public art commission. Context, audience and archival considerations are all in the foreground from the beginning of the design process. When all of these parts are woven together they work in conjunction with their surroundings to create a sense of place and establish an identity in what other wise might be undifferentiated space. My goal is to create work that is active, fresh and contributing to the life of the space immediately after it is installed, but will also withstand the test of time physically and metaphorically. I want to make work that appeals as much to the mind as it does to the eye.

artwork byThe Assist, a permanent public work commissioned by  Michael Grothusen
Point Where Things Change, commissioned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Author
Point Where Things Change, commissioned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Author
Point Where Things Change, commissioned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Author
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
Life’s Joys/Life’s Disappointments, electric motors, roller chain and steel. Ins
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
Crate for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, aluminum, foam, 34’h by 40”diameter-in
Explanation of Mysterious Force, steel, electric fan, and electric timer. 60”x44
 I heard a fly buzz, 9’x12’x20’-  The large horizontal board slowly raises and l
Two Places for Contemplating the Afterlife, The two maps are of Poland and New Y
Scale Model, from memory, wood, window screen and aluminum, 7’x16’x24’. This is
Two Places for Contemplating the Afterlife, The two maps are of Poland and New Y
Michael Grothusen, memory sculpture, space and memory, plan drawings of houses from memory
Places Inhospitable to Man, steel, two elements. Antacrtica - 2” x 16” x 14”, Mi
Filter, furnace filters, water, aluminum, 20’x12’x6’. The wall of air filters wa
Geographic Center of North America, steel. 25”x32”x1.5”. This piece is suspended
Device for Observing Sun and Shadow, wood, translucent paper and radiometers. As
A model of an idea for a public sculpture. The vessels would be approximately 6
Device for Observing Sun and Shadow, wood, translucent paper and radiometers. As
michael grothusen, sculpture, digital sculpture
Residue - Plaster, Drawing Ink, and vaseline. The plaster element is 12”x12’x60”
Installation at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, PA. Made from materials g
Installation at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, PA. Made from materials g
artwork by Michael Grothusen
Black Hole Trophy is made of laminated and carved wood and is cantilevered sidew
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
artwork by Michael Grothusen
Life’s Joys/Life’s Disappointments, electric motors, roller chain and steel. Ins

Works that address ideas about buildings and building materials. Related works can be found in the Installation page of this website. 

For the People, vinyl siding, pink insulation, 10’x10’x32”-installed at Moore Co
All Level-Plaster, Level Vials. Each house is 32”x7”x7”.
 Strapped -Concrete and straps. Each house is 54”x16”x16”.

Works from an ongoing series that uses data and measurement about my body as a starting point for creating sculpture. 

michael grothusen, sculpture, philadelphia, kinetic sculpture, body measurement
sculpture, Michael Grothusen, kinetic sculpture, body measurement, conceptual sculpture
Michael Grothusen, sculpture, lovers, by weight, from memory. conceptual sculpture, cast iron sculpture
The Most I Can Lift- steel, photo etching. The solid steel cylinder is the heavi
The Highest I Can Jump-oak, photo etching. The brass bar represents the greatest
Weight of Skin, brass, oak. 40”x8”x8”. The brass weight corresponds to the weigh
Subscribe to michael grothusen