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Piece 07 / 50Commissions2025 · Oakland, California
The Pursuit of Joy
TitleThe Pursuit of Joy
Year2025
Dimensions78” x 44” x 18”
CategoryCommissions, Large Scale, Locomotion, Robots & Figurative
StatusCommissioned
Made inOakland, California
The story
“The Pursuit of Joy” was commissioned by a couple of cycling enthusiasts (one of whom’s name is Joy).
They wanted something for their home that reflected their passions, yet held true to my aesthetic. It bears a strong resemblance to my sculpture “ Nowhere Fast ” from 2009.
Every element was found — scrap yards, second-hand stores, dumpsters — then cleaned, stripped, sorted and rebuilt. Found aluminum is TIG-welded and sanded seamless; nothing is cast. The electronics are salvaged from consumer devices, repaired and rewired so the piece does something when you touch it.
IN MOTION
The Pursuit of Joy · running2025
Parts list
What it used to be
Everything in this piece had a previous life. Nemo’s own inventory, in his words.
Milk urnrocking chairsdrafting table partsshoe polisherpolycarbonate domebroiling panaircraft fluid valvesmotorsgearsmetalwoodLEDs
Same drawer