KINETIC MONUMENTS OF COLORADO SPRINGS
STEEL & WIND
Fifty-foot steel structures that breathe with the Cheyenne Cañon drafts. A testament to engineering precision and artistic defiance.
The Blacksmith's Son
Starr Gideon Kempf (1917–1995) was not born into high art. Raised on an Ohio farm, he learned the language of metal from his father and seven uncles—all blacksmiths and carpenters.
He attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and served in the Air Force during WWII, experiences that fused his artistic vision with mechanical discipline. In 1948, he settled in Colorado Springs, building his own home in Cheyenne Cañon—a landscape that would become his canvas.
While he began with bronze, his later years were defined by monumental steel. He didn't just sculpt; he engineered. He built wind turbines into art, creating massive, intricate birds and spires that required perfect balance to move silently in the mountain breeze.
1917
BORN IN OHIO
1995
DIED IN COLORADO
Engineering the Breeze
Kempf’s sculptures are not static. They are machines designed to visualize the invisible forces of nature.
The Material
Constructed primarily of stainless steel, these works were built to withstand the harsh Colorado elements. The polished surfaces reflect the changing sky, making the heavy metal appear weightless.
The Scale
Reaching heights of 30 to 50 feet, the sculptures dominate their environment. "Metronome," "Sunrise Serenade," and "Space Needle" are among his most famous monumental works.
The Mechanics
Using complex bearing systems, entire multi-ton sections rotate and sway. Kempf calibrated them specifically for the wind currents of his front yard, creating a site-specific dialogue with the air.
The Conservation Paradox
"To save the art, do we destroy its context?"
Starr Kempf designed his kinetic sculptures specifically for the topography of his Cheyenne Cañon estate. The wind there behaves in a way he studied for decades.
However, the sheer scale of the work attracted crowds, leading to a bitter conflict between the artist's estate and the residential zoning laws of the neighborhood. After years of legal battles following Kempf's death, a compromise was reached.
Several monumental pieces were removed from their original context and loaned to the UCCS Ent Center for the Arts. While this protects the physical integrity of the steel and allows for public viewing, a conservationist must ask: Is a site-specific kinetic sculpture the same artwork when moved to a different wind?
Where to View
The Original Estate
Private PropertyThe artist's home still retains several sculptures. Seeing them in the dense trees of the canyon is the authentic experience, but access is restricted.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- ⚠ Strictly view from the street only.
- ⚠ Do not enter the driveway or gate.
- ⚠ Respect the neighbors' privacy.
UCCS Ent Center
Public AccessSeveral major works, including Metronome and Space Needle, were relocated here for preservation. They are fully accessible to the public.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- ✓ Open to the public.
- ✓ Close-up viewing allowed.
- ✓ Photography encouraged.