Moving Art
By Todd Wood | April/May 2009, Homepage
Paul Lindsay doesn’t mind being laughed at. In fact, he believes laughter
is one of the best compliments he can receive when people view his
creations.
Upon entering his “Motique” (word derived by Lindsay to explain his
creations of motor driven art and antiques) shop on Laurel Street in
Springfield, you become quickly acquainted with Lindsay’s environment. A
vinyl 45 spinning on an old record player sets the mood for a quick trip
down memory lane as your mind goes into information overload. As you take
in shelves upon shelves, loaded with knick-knacks and antiques Paul has
purchased and acquired over the years, it‘s easy to see why some may
label him a pack rat.
Lindsay has always had an interest in mechanical things. When he was a
young boy, moving gears, cogs and electronics fascinated him. But not so
much in their intended working form for which they were created. Rather,
Lindsay was interested in how he could use random parts from old
televisions and VCRs to create the visions in his mind’s eye.
By the time he was in high school, at Anderson School of the Arts in
Jacksonville, Fla, his vision was added to after taking a sculpting
class. All of a sudden, his love for mechanical parts and sculpture were
starting to merge into thoughts.
His passion and ideas were partly inspired by the works of Alexander
Calder and Marcel Duchamp. Calder is well known for kinetic sculpture and
Duchamp is often associated with the Dadaist and Surrealist movements.
Duchamp actually suggested Calder‘s kinetic sculpture be called mobiles.
Today, mobiles are seen in nearly every baby nursery, hanging above
infants cribs for visual stimulation and entertainment.
Hanging in a tree between his home and his shop is an inspired piece of
art he calls “Almost Level”. The creation is a mobile made of several
different carpenter levels.
Art has inspired many common place elements in our society, and Lindsay
hopes that his contributions will one day do the same. Many of his
creations have been whisked away for a commission by the curious and
envious. Though those commissions are few and far between, especially in
a small town like Springfield, Lindsay doesn’t get discouraged. Hard
times have been the source of many great creations says Lindsay.
Like art, music has always played a big part in American culture.
However, while the mainstream is listening to Top 40, Lindsay finds even
more inspiration listening to rare and unordinary music on vinyl.
“There’s something about listening to old 45s,” says Lindsay. “They have
a much different sound…better than a CD. Sometimes I try to create things
to make them look how the music feels.”
While most people like going shopping at the mall, super stores, and
outlets Lindsay prefers junk yards, garage sales, and thrift stores. He
grabs anything that he thinks he could use, which doesn’t require much
discipline. Even if he cannot use it at the time, he will still buy it
and never let go.
Lindsay doesn’t believe in throwing things away, he pleads guilty to
being a hoarder. “When I throw something away, I always end up needing it
a few days later,” says Lindsay. With a passion of this sort, Lindsay
still can’t say for sure if he will use something or not. Whether it’s
something as little as an old pen that doesn’t work, or as silly as his
little sister’s old baby doll, or as large as a broken swing set, Lindsay
will always use it if it fits in his grand vision.
Take for instance the Obnoxious Roto-Cyclone - a creation attached to the
roof his shop. His base for this wacky creation is an old swing set, and
the rotating cylindrical object spinning atop is an old clothes dryer
drum. Once you’ve seen it, you’d probably agree with Lindsay’s name for
it.
If it comes to thought, Lindsay will always find a way to make it a thing.
Among his favorite creations would be the Crazy Clock.
Lindsay desires for others to become immersed in his creations. Whether
it’s envy, sadness or even laughter, there is no greater gift to Lindsay
than the emotion someone feels while viewing his art. That’s another
reason he loves the Crazy Clock so much - the response of one customer
when she first saw it was just to laugh. That laugh flattered Lindsay,
mostly because humor plays a big role in his works.
Another of his works, still in progress, is the eye-catching “World’s
Largest Anniversary Clock”. Thus far he has used a magnification mirror
(used on corners in parking garages) for the clock face, old piano keys
and metal house numbers for the numbers, and four classroom globes in
constructing the seven-and-a-half foot tall motor driven clock.
After losing his job in Jacksonville eight years ago, which Paul says was
a blessing in disguise, he returned to his native Springfield in 2001 and
opened Motique in his grandfather’s old television repair store. Though
he is in great need of a new structure for storage, sales space and
working space, he couldn’t be happier about his location in Springfield.
“I like the fact that downtown Springfield still has independently owned
and operated businesses,” said Lindsay. “Springfield has the heartbeat of
a bigger city, but it still has that hometown country atmosphere.”
Like many starving artists, Lindsay does wish he had a stable income. If
he had a nickel for every vision, and another nickel to help make it a
reality, Lindsay’s grand plan to one day have an attraction for tourists
traveling through Springfield would easily come to fruition.
“It would be neat if people could walk through a garden of sorts,” says
Lindsay. “A place where people could observe, enjoy and become involved
with.”
For now, he’s focused on bringing more art knowledge to the community.
“You don’t have to be an art critic to be able to enjoy art,” says
Lindsay. And, he doesn’t mind those who scoff at his creations. “The
greatest thing about art is the different reactions it creates,” Lindsay
continued. “Art is inspired by emotion, and emotions inspire artists.”
From his early beginnings, tinkering with electronics in his
grandfather’s television repair shop, to the World’s Largest Anniversary
Clock, Lindsay’s art is sure to create a rainbow of emotions.
His shop is located at 207 Laurel Street in Springfield.
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