Mike Cooper's Chain Reaction
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Mike Cooper is a gifted artist, and he shows the intimate details of his latest sculpture in this video. Mike will have a one-person show at the Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California, running from December 10, 2022 to May 28, 2023.
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"If an idea is worth doing, it's worth overdoing." is such a beautiful, inspiring approach. Lovely sculptures.
Glad you like Mike's latest sculpture!
I think Adam Savage and Jamie Hynamen said it best… 😉
Wow. Such beautiful work! All of those sculptures. Thanks for showing them!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Chain Reaction is inspiring, thanks Ron for sharing. Can you do a follow up video so we can take a ride and hear the sound of those beautiful motors.
I don't have any video of this sculpture running yet, but you can see an earlier piece here:
ua-cam.com/video/X88tJcuI5H4/v-deo.html
Very unique, never seen something like that one. Would have loved to have seen it driving, but still an awesome video.
Glad you liked it! You can see some of MIke's earlier work here:
ua-cam.com/video/X88tJcuI5H4/v-deo.html
@@RonCovell cool, tyvm
I am a woodcarver and cabinet maker. I remember seeing one of his sculptures in a wood magazine. It was either Woodwork or Fine woodworking. I still have the magazine, even though it was probably 20 years ago. One of his pieces was on the back cover and I stared at the details for hours. I'm glad to know that he is still at it!
Yep, at 79 years of age, he works as diligently in his studio as ever!
I love how he merges exquisite craftsmanship with intricate mechanical designs. Is it ridiculous, dangerous, barely functional? Maybe, but it’s incredible as are his other pieces in the montage at the end. I could spend hours poring over the pieces admiring the details and wondering how he was able to create different parts
Yes, Mike Cooper is truly a one-of-a-kind!
Thats beyond amazing. Well done and massive respect.
Thanks - I'll pass that along to Mike!
Unbelievable. I just wish we could have heard it run and possibly roll around. I was going to say that this artwork belongs in a museum. Good to see it will at least spend a little time in one. Thanks for sharing this masterpiece with everyone.
I agree with you
I’m just amazed at this vehicle! The vision and hard work that must have taken is incomprehensible. Thank you for this vid!
You are most welcome!
Absolutely beautiful. The precision and continuity of the design are what makes it particularly impressive, true craftsmanship.
So glad you like it!
Chitty chitty bang bang we love you
Dear Ron, thank you VERY MUCH for giving this project over to Mike Cooper, and through this medium introducing me to his work. It is an absolute pleasure to see, and very very inspiring. Living in Australia we are used to seeing "Mad Max" type machines, but I think Mike Cooper's machines would be most welcome here with our desert background.
Mike actually lived and worked in Australia for about a year, and did some great work - some of which is still there. The Queen Victoria Museum in Inveresk, Tasmania has one elaborate 4-wheel bentwood sculpture, and I believe there is another in or near Perth.
you people are artists
and you are amazing
I can scarcely believe what I am seeing. The sculptures are jaw-droppingly stunning 😍
Absolutely stunning. Every part is exquisite.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the sculpture, and took the time to comment on the video!
creativity knows no limits. Mike, you definitely cracked the code with this one. The chain reaction is just awesome!! i hope there will be a in depth part 2 . Ron, you rock ;))
Thanks again!
Thanks Ron.
I've seen his work at many car shows and was always amazed at his work.
Jere
Thanks so much, Jere. He's quite a guy!
Very cool. Thanks Ron.
You are very welcome - glad you liked it!
There are Craftsman, Fabricators and Artists. You Mr cooper are ALL of those. Amazing!
He'll enjoy your comment!
That is just absolutely beautiful. That is absolutely satisfying to the eye to look at. I would probably drive it once or twice, maybe three times on a track before putting it on a display, if i ever had the chance to own one. That must have been quite a process to build. I love it.
Yes, it was a long process to build the sculpture, and I'm so glad you liked it!
We have been to the exhibit twice now. Each time there is something incredible that we missed. Will visit again. Mind-bending work.
I want to go back myself!
Mike was my sculpture teacher at de anza in early 2000s. I was inspired by his amazing skills, but could dish out some tough love. Cool to see he is still killing it!
Thanks for chiming in!
That's so cool!
That is the most authentic beautiful one of a kind out the box so beautiful definitely an incredible work of art wow! Nothing else out there like it that I seen 56 years and wow I'm impressed for a reason spectacular!🥰
I'm so glad it made such a powerful impact on you!
In these horrible times, you have made me proud to be human. I haven’t felt that for some time. Thank you.
Wow - that's quite a statement!
Great Artwork, Thanks for sharing.
I'm so glad you liked it!
I am speechless. That was amazing! What a mechanical work of art.
I'm so glad you liked it!
Mike Cooper's stuff has always been incedible and this latest is equally fascinating to me. True genius! Glad he's still creating such inspiring work. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoy it!
Inspiring work! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
One of the coolest things I've ever seen!! Reminds me of Don Potts work from the late 70s.
Both Mike Cooper and I knew Don Potts, and were heavily influenced by him. Did you see the video I made about Potts' Soap Box Derby car?
ua-cam.com/video/3sWNiDPVu2A/v-deo.html
Thank you for your effort to do these videos.
It pleases me very much that they are so well received!
When impracticality is fully understood, but you just don't care because it is awesome. This is a great piece of art, Ron. You sure have a selection of friends we don't have..
I'm so thankful for the great friends I have!
@@RonCovell and they are thankful for having you as a friend. Thanks for the content.
Being privileged to attend (with my dad with his soapbox entry) at that first Artist's Soap box Derby in SF, I remember appreciating Cooper's piece. There was such a revolutionary change into technical, geometric design of that generation. I feel it still holds today.
Nels - I'm so glad you got to see this video. Your father left a legacy that contributed to this work of Mike Cooper's, and has inspired much of my work, too!
Merci pour ce partage Ron Covell 🙏 !
Je suis si heureux que vous l'ayez apprécié !
Beautiful machine. So nice to see such good friends share their joy of art. 👍👍😎👍👍
Mike has been a dear friend for many years!
Thank you for doing these videos Ron. Cooper's new piece is extraordinary! Looking forward to the show in Santa Rosa.
My pleasure!
I love this and I'm happy to have another installment of Ron Covell Presents Neat Artists
Great! I hope to do more!
I cannot even imagine the time and engineering that this project took! It is truly beautiful!!!
It was a more than four-year project.
Not a single negative comment! I've never been one to appreciate modern art, it's usually a pile of junk someone threw in some corner and called it art. But this Man is an ARTIST EXTRORDINARE. What beautiful lines form function and candy for the eyes and imagination! I can't find enough descriptive words of praise for his work. Thank you for your work and inspiration. And thank God for putting you here to bless us all with such imagination and talent. GOD bless you and again thank you!
So glad you like it, and thanks so much for the lavish praise!
Great seeing you both with such a beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much, Charlie!
Wow that thing is fantastic. Some what of a mechanical nightmare to get all that chain drive to work correctly. The tubing work and the amazing wood work look very labor intensive. Very beautiful finished product. Very talented builder. Thanks for sharing in this video
So glad you liked it!
Beautiful!!!... Thanks for being inspirational!!!
I'm so glad you liked it!
Far freaking out Thank you for sharing Mike Cooper's work
Glad you like it!
So excited to go to see this stuff in person.
Great - it should be a wonderful show!
Wow Mike! Mind blowing work! 🧡
Deena, - I hoped you would 'chime-in' on this one - since I know you are a talented artist in your own right!
@@RonCovell Thank you Ron. When I saw the wooden frame structure...mind blown!
Im 47 and this is probably the coolest modiefied vehicle/art work ive ever seen. Its origional and buitifull. Looks like something from a movie.
Wow - that's quite a compliment. Glad you liked it so much!
Function meets form. Absolutely beautiful.
So glad you liked it!
An amazing piece of art! I love the joining of the curves of the wooden body and the sharp angles of the metal frame. I am amazed. The fact that it is a 4 engine Harley is simply the icing on top
Thank you very much!
I checked out the video because the bike looks very unique, and interesting. When the video started, and he said Sebastopol, California, I thought, "Yep, that's so typical of Sebastopol!" It looks very strange, and odd, but also so beautiful, and intriguing! If I was still living in Sonoma county, I definitely stop by the museum and admire all of the exhibits!
Cool, thanks!
Definitely thinking outside the box.
I love it, not enough people doing this when it comes to "custom" vehicles these days (at least where I am) they all seem to be what I call "Cookie Cutters" (following fads?similar styles).
Keep it up Mike and thanks for sharing Ron.
I agree!
That thing looks as if it belongs in another dimension. Completely surreal, attention to detail on another level.
Mike Cooper is a builder like no other!
I saw your 1975 vehicle in a rolling art presentation and was impressed with it then, this is on a whole other level.
Wow, amazing sculptures. Looks like a lot of hours were put into every piece of art. Really cool👍 Thank you Ron for bringing all these works of art out into the public 🙂
I'm so glad you enjoyed it
You know some fascinating, lightly tweaked in a nice way, individuals. Thanks to you and to Mike Cooper for sharing this beautiful creation . It truly looks as if he just focused all his energy into it and poof, it was created. It is that nice.
Well, the 'poof' part took over four years, but I'd say the results are well worth it!
Simply amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us. Dan in Louisiana
Glad you enjoyed it!
These art pieces are so beautyfull. Im at a loss for words to discribe how these are awsome. this man is the best artist ive ever seen in my life.
Wow - that's about as powerful as a compliment gets!
"if an idea's worth doing, it's worth overdoing". Words to live by..
Yep!
That's an amazing accomplishment. Wow - (and I want to see it running, please).
Also, great video.
So glad you liked it!
Used to work with a guy that would restore Ashwood frame cars... have a ton of respect for guys that can meld together wood and metal!
Yes, most people work with either wood OR metal. Few excel at both, but Mike is one who does!
Holy smokes that’s beautiful well done the wood work is amazing
Yes, Mike Cooper is a one-of-a-kind!
Would love to hear it run... I get the impression it would literally come to life!!
Maybe we can make such a video next year, after Mike's show.
I don't think I closed my mouth for the entire eight minutes. Absolutely stunning!
I'm so glad it had such an impact on you!
The exhibit opening was awesome - sorry I missed you there, Ron.
I can very much recommend anyone to go to the show @ Sonoma County Museum, it was a blast!
Sorry I didn't see you at the opening. Since they were only allowing a limited number of people in the building at a time (because of concerns about Covid) I had to wait outside for quite a while. I thought the show was outstanding, and I'm very glad that you liked it too!
Beyond cool, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
WOW! Fantastic stuff!
The line between genius and madness are blurred here.. What a cool piece
So glad you liked it!
Thank you Mr. Covell for the video. You are both true Masters! 👍🏻
Thank you kindly!
What a beautiful engine. Great choice.
Yes, those early Harley singles are very cool!
About forty years ago, I was stationed on Oahu for three years and there was a wooden carved "motorcycle" which was on display at Ala Moana Shopping center in Honolulu. The "bike" is incredible, half real, half fantasy perhaps a dozen different species of woods in all, about the only thing I've seen that appears to be in the same family as this. Beautiful piece of art, thanks!
John, I have seen that wooden motorcycle sculpture, and in fact, it too was made by the same artist, Mike Cooper!
There is a video on UA-cam that shows some of the construction:
ua-cam.com/video/VnZtKAMc2HY/v-deo.html
I spent seven years at Kaneohe, 77-80, 84-87 with wife and kids. That is one of the most incredible wood sculptures I've ever seen. I've lived around the world since 59, "navy brat" and as you say, "appears to be in the same family", and I see the same strain of technique and skill in your own patient line of work. I began welding in 73, oxy-acetylene and coat hanger wire. I see real skill in your manipulating the puddles.
I wonder if there will be anyone in the future with knowledge and skills. I'm glad you are creating content for the future generations. Hopefully UA-cam will be like a time capsule forever. Keep sharing Ron!
I hope so too!
Thats the most unordinary looking thing ive seen in the last 10 years for sure. Very beautiful.
I'm so glad it made such an impression on you!
Wow, what a beautiful machine. :)
I totally agree!
Brilliant piece of engineering and art
So glad you liked it!
Very beautiful! I love the mix of organic and polygonal shapes.
Me too!
Very impressive imagination and skills in making the vision a reality. Thanks for sharing
Glad you liked it!
Wow. That is astonishing!
I'm delighted that you enjoyed the video!
Wow, I would love to see him building some bent laminated wood. Maybe you two could do another collaboration where you two bring your very different but beautiful approach to a single project. Or just have him share his technique with you, as we watch.
Maybe one day that would be possible!
What a stunning concept! Completely impractical, but beautiful
Glad you like it! Mike has a new book out, and I'll be posting a video about it soon. The video will have an interview with Mike, plus lots of pictures of his work over the last 50 years.
Seeing some of the other sculpture that has been built made my imagination run wild. I love the Tyrell p31 6 wheel car. So iconic.
Yes, that is a VERY special sculpture!
@@RonCovell just curious, is there any chance of a stand alone video of some of his other creations? I've been building custom bicycles for 25 years, and have been doing metal sculpture almost as long. I just love this kind of work, it inspires me to take my own projects even further.
From the thumbnail I thought it was an RC or a model. Freakin beautiful 😍😍😍
Great glad you liked it!
Absolutely amazing! Good stuff
Glad you think so!
Wow... Just wow!
At first glance, it looks like a couple of bentwood rockers collided with a few board track racers! Speaks volumes to the engineer in me with its triangulation, extreme woodwork, miles of chain, ancient single cylinder bike motors... This is art with a purpose, drawing its viewer into the "driver's" chair through Imagineering where one might expect an animatronic driver to take over, extolling the exquisite features of the vehicle! Certainly, has all the "WoW Factor" needed to take the viewer to places unknown.
Very well put, and I'm glad you enjoyed Cooper's sculpture!
Hi Ron, Dave W from the previous Century here. Sent the link to Dave B, the Vacuum Velocipede guy and member of the Steve R tribe. Love it..!
Dave, I remember you - you were close friends with Steve Roberts, right? Great to hear from you again!
The quanity and quality of detail work in every piece is simply awesome. That word is often misused or over used. Not in this case.
Thanks for sharing, Ron.
Wow, thank you, Joe!
That is interesting. Never an end to ones creativity.
Yes, that's absolutely true!
What a gorgeous machine!
Glad you liked it!
Fascinating! 👍🏻
i think i saw some of his stuff at the LA moca back in the early 90's astounding stuff.
Yes, Mike has shown some of his kinetic sculpture there!
Love it nice work and great job engineering great !!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
this is byfar one of the most impressive things i have ever seen
Me too!
Very beautiful work I love it I can see Jay Leno with one of these pieces in his collection
I don't know if Jay Leno collects art, but if he does this could be of interest to him!
WOW I love that sculpture! Everything just flows into each other as it was meant to be there. The organic and Insectoid aspect to it makes me want to believe it alive and ready to transform into something else. Wish there was a model kit of this.
Thank you! Cheers!
this looks cool , anime with a bit of scifi tuner scene .. and the slanted wheels ..damn
That’s crazy awesome!
Glad you liked it!
WOW..........there is nothing to use in describing that car.........Zip! It's beyond everything. Love it 😳 Many thanx for the share Go Coop 👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi from Siberia! Despite all that happends now in the world the Art is the only thing that holds us together.
I agree, totally!
Re-goddam-diculous! You are the very definition of a true artist. Yowza!
That is flat-out amazing! The Tubester meets Don Potts. Thanks for showing this.
I like the way you characterize this sculpture!
Amazing it's not enough. 😍😍😍