Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Colorado Colorado Springs Starr Kempf's Kinetic Sculptures
AO Edited

Starr Kempf's Kinetic Sculptures

The moving metal works of one troubled artist can still be viewed on his front lawn... for now.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Added By
kalistongue
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures   kalistongue / Atlas Obscura User
Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures   kalistongue / Atlas Obscura User
Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures   Crystal A. Wilson 2012
  aerojb / Atlas Obscura User
The Kempfs’   aerojb / Atlas Obscura User
Starr Kempf’s Kinetic Sculptures   kalistongue / Atlas Obscura User
  srejt1 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Troubled sculptor Starr Kempf took his own life in 1995, but his towering works of moving, gleaming metal are still on display on the lawn of his former home -- after having a troubled life of their own.

Kempf was known for his monumental works of shining metal whimsy. The majority of his work took the form of over-sized steel abstractions that would shift and move in the wind. From fantastical birds to undulating spires, Kempf's work was generally seen as joyous. However, like many artists before him, Kempf harbored a dark streak, which for him manifested in some of his lesser known sculptural works which he generally kept private. This darkness would finally overtake him in 1995 when he took his own life.

After Kempf passed away, a number of his works remained where he had positioned them in his front yard. Fans and sightseers began flocking to the home to see his works and the artist's daughter began giving tours of the site as well. Unfortunately, this did not sit well with some of the other wards of the artist's estate, not to mention Kempf's neighbors. The city, backed by one of Kempf's relatives, came to the home to remove some of the works, but Kempf's daughter fiercely protested the action. Three of the pieces were removed, but many were left.  

The three removed sculptures, Sunrise Serenade, Metronome, and Space Needle, are on display at the ENT Center for the Arts (5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado) on the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus.  They will be displayed until 2034 on extended loan.

Today a number of the kinetic sculptures still stand on the front lawn and can be viewed from the street. Simply try to be respectful when visiting lest more of the pieces be put in jeopardy.  

Related Tags

Sculptures Art

Know Before You Go

2057 Pine Grove St. Near Cheyenne Mountain, about ten minutes from the interstate. Exit 1-25 at highway 87, go south to Cheyenne Rd, go right/west. As you approach Cheyenne Canyon, look for Evans Ave. and take a left turn. The house is about one block down on the left hand side of the street.

Community Contributors

Added By

kalistongue

Edited By

cyccommute, Alara, jeffh4, EricGrundhauser...

  • cyccommute
  • Alara
  • jeffh4
  • EricGrundhauser
  • aerojb
  • srejt1
  • Eandex

Published

March 20, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starr_Kempf
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/17288
  • http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/falling-starrs/Content?oid=1119258
  • http://gazette.com/the-other-side-of-starr-kempf/article/20932
  • http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM8949_Starr_Kempfs_Kinetic_Wind_Sculptures_Colorado_Springs_Colorado
Starr Kempf's Kinetic Sculptures
2057 Pine Grove
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80906
United States
38.789263, -104.86351
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Old Gold Camp Road Tunnels

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Cheyenne Mountain Complex

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

Colorado

Places 13
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Old Gold Camp Road Tunnels

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Cheyenne Mountain Complex

Colorado Springs, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

Colorado

Places 13
Stories 1

Related Stories and Lists

The Ultimate Guide to Bird Monuments

List

By Michelle Cassidy

Related Places

  • Stonehaven, Scotland

    Stonehaven Boardwalk Sculptures

    A series of mysterious metal artwork adorn this harbor walkway.

  • Aguanga, California

    Ricardo Breceda’s Art Gallery

    Large metal sculptures spread throughout an open landscape.

  • A large sculpture in a field with a rainbow behind it.

    Chattanooga, Tennessee

    Sculpture Fields at Montague Park

    Stroll among more than 50 large-scale sculptures created by world-class artists.

    Sponsored by Chattanooga Tourism
  • In Mirror Labyrinth, Jeppe Hein creates a circular maze of reflective panels.

    New Orleans, Louisiana

    The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

    This free sculpture garden is home to over 90 artworks and installations from artists around the world.

  • Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • An easter egg through magnifying glass. The actual height is  4.5 mm, the beads 0.15-0.35 mm

    Saint Petersburg, Russia

    Russkiy Levsha (The Russian Lefty Museum)

    Home to artworks so small you need a microscope to see them.

  • Treviso, Italy

    Simon Benetton Museum

    A workshop-turned-museum showcasing the late sculptor's work.

  • Wemding, Germany

    'Zeitpyramide' ('Time Pyramid')

    An abstract sculpture that will be a work in progress for the next 1,000 years.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.