Gerhard Zsambok
& Project Leophard

Since 1987 Gerhard Zsambok and Project Leophard have been creating drama and atmosphere in galleries, public spaces and private buildings with the installation of his water sculptures.

By treating the unique characteristics of water as an artform, Project Leophard explores the strangeness and miracles of gravity and water. The results are the creation of unique art machines that are either operated by the power of water or show the mysterious phenomena caused by water. 

Gerhard enjoys exploring the power of water to produce astounding effects from minimal forces. Whether the sculpture incorporates gentle ripples or tumbling waves, water-drops or waterfalls, sparkling fountains or dancing jets, the movements capture attention and draw the viewer inwards to watch and marvel or laugh and play.

Zsambok’s creations are designed to deconstruct the water’s movement moment by moment capturing every facet of its liquid state.  Water always moves quickly to a conventional state so many of the conditions achieved through the Project Leophard art machines are rare and mostly unknown. The sculptures work to inspire the viewer with a new vision or recapture of hardly remembered moment from his or her past.

It’s a known fact that water will always find its own way.  All the sculptures are designed to make the most of the medium’s stored energy to start in motion processes that often lead to unpredictable outcomes.  This ability is most clearly seen in the machines that have been designed for interactive play.

The interactive machines are often humorous and playful encouraging the viewer to open their imaginations to the joy and pleasure of playing with water and experimenting with its powers.  Once the mechanics of the sculpture have been learned the viewer becomes the artist creating new art with the forces of water, balance and gravity.

Light is integral to Project Leophard.  The sculptures are regularly enhanced by the subtle use of light.  This heightens the viewers’ perceptions of the magic taking place before their eyes.  Only white light is ever used to show the miracles that are achieved by water’s very lack of form and colour.

Over the last 20 years Zsambok has created art machines that are sited in countries throughout Europe.