In January of 2014, the Orbits of Isaac sculpture by Michael Dunbar was installed in front of the Campus Center building at Kettering University to, in part, show the strong connection between engineering, science, design and the arts.

The sculpture has become a focal point of the University’s iconography and now, the Flint community has the opportunity to see more of Dunbar’s work. His exhibit entitled, ‘Genesis: The Origins of an Idea,’ is on display at Kettering’s Humanities Art Center through September 30.

“I love that my work is a part of Kettering University’s campus,” Dunbar said. “If it happens to influence or inspire students here, that would make me so happy.”

An artist’s creative process is often a personal journey that is hidden from the public until the finished product can be produced. The origins of their ideas are unknown to all but the artists themselves and we are left to wonder what sparked such ingenuity. Kettering’s Humanities Art Center asked Dunbar for access to the posters, 3-D sketches and miniature bronze sculptures which show the genesis of his artistic vision for his Machinist Series, which culminated in the Orbits of Isaac.

The series includes more than 10 of Dunbar’s miniature sculptures and sketches.

“There is a scientific undertone to my work,” Dunbar said. “I’m a futurist at heart -- I believe the future is unlimited and we are in a time of unparalleled scientific growth. I feel very strongly about that in my work.”

Concepts of time, distance, and space run concurrently throughout Dunbar's body of work. These concepts take a formal expression through the meticulous precision and connection of arcs, planes, and beams. Dunbar's work conjures imagery of mechanical objects used to move and measure the earth, explore sky and space, and transport across vast distances. Forms are balanced to imply a sense of movement - as if they are at rest, waiting to be turned on or caught and frozen in the midst of action.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the public interested in viewing the exhibit can contact Regina Schreck at rschreck@kettering.edu.