Breezing Up

Breezing Up rises 26 feet into the air as Rubenstein’s tallest wind-kinetic sculpture to date, capturing a refined harmony between motion, form, and the surrounding landscape. The work pays tribute to Winslow Homer’s 1876 maritime painting Breezing Up (A Fair Wind), held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., subtly echoing the lyrical movement of sails filled with wind. Long inspired by this image from his youth, Rubenstein translates its spirit into sculpture, creating a work that feels both timeless and alive.

Fabricated at Rubenstein Studios, Breezing Up is crafted from stainless steel, combining durability with a luminous, reflective surface that heightens its interaction with light and air. The sculpture responds continuously to natural forces, offering a kinetic experience that shifts with every breeze. Its motion is made possible by a patent-pending system designed by Rubenstein, using advanced plastic bearings with glass balls that require no lubrication or maintenance and are built to endure for decades.

The sculpture stands on the site previously occupied by Skybound, a work Rubenstein created for the park in 2012 at the invitation of the late founder Harry Wilkes. After remaining on loan for more than a decade, Skybound was acquired by the Cincinnati Art Museum in 2024. In its place, Breezing Up carries the legacy forward, reflecting Rubenstein’s enduring connection to the park, which he regards as family, and his lifelong commitment to creating art that moves in dialogue with nature.