Starr Kempf's Kinetic Sculptures

The sculptures are magnificent, especially when moving. However, the place looks run down, and the plaque outside has been removed. It's no longer a tourist trap, which I guess is great for the neighbors. It used to be packed with cars. Kind of sad because his sculptures were so revered and they seem all but forgotten in that garden. I am still in awe and the sculptures themselves are 5*

These pieces are amazing and the homes owner didn't seem to mind us stopping by to snap a few pics. I would have loved to see them all in motion, but it looked like one was out of commission, still a great stop in a very sweet neighborhood. Hard to believe an artist with so much whimsy and talent would take his own life. Glad his daughter has kept his legacy going.

We enjoyed this on a Monday in February, having never been before it was a cool experience and we didn't have to get out of our car ha!

Situated in a residential area at the base of the Cheyenne Mountains are Starr Kempf Kinetic Sculptures. He started making the windmills in 1977. There is no parking in front but there is a pull off across the street. Also there is a parking lot few feet down the road. As I understand, there were more sculptures but the neighbors didn't like the traffic, so a court order made the family take them down. There are still 5 of them still there. There are a couple in downtown Colorado Springs. I visited on a windy day and it was awesome.

Wha... What?!? This is in somebody's yard. There's an iron fence and a lock on the gate. I went at 10:30 on Saturday morning expecting a public park but I found private property. Over the fence and through the trees, the four sculptures look kind of cool, but I couldn't tell if they were stationary because of low wind, or maybe they were locked in position. My child and I were were disappointed. 2 Stars.

Beautiful sculptures, but no access to get in so we could see past the trees and bushes. Understandable since its a private home.

A very unique and unexpected artistic hidden gem at the base of Cheyenne Canyon. I would highly recommend taking a tour guide with you to give additional information and background on Starr Kempf's life, and not just his art. Additionally, I would recommend visiting on a windy day to fully see the movent and grandeur of each sculpture he has created. Let us all continue to visit and keep this piece of of Colorado Springs culture alive for generations to come.

Okay, so these are cool and if you're close by, we thought it was worth driving up to see. These are large, metal sculptures in a backyard. You spend about 15-20 minutes looking at them and taking pictures.

This is an amazing collection of kinetic sculptures. It does however, seem to be out of place sitting in the front yard of a residential home. My HOA would have a fit. There is free parking along the street. I just ended up parking across the street in a little dirt area. The sculptures are the work of Starr Kemph, who took his own life in 1995. The home that they sit in front of is his former home. Since it is a home and the sculptures are behind a fence around the yard, you cannot get very close to them. You can still get a decent view of them from outside the fence though. There used to me more of the sculptures in the yard but they were moved to the ENT Center for the Arts on the University of Colorado Campus in Colorado Springs on an extended loan, after complaints from neighbors and some members of Kemph's estate. The three removed sculptures were titled, Sunrise Serenade, Metronome, and Space Needle. I visited on a windy day and the sculptures were in full effect. There are a few birds, and other abstract spire sculptures to view. They do ask that visitors be respectful when visiting the site as to not draw more attention to the sculptures and cause a nuisance that would result in increase calls from neighbors to have more pieces removed. They are a site to see and are beautiful as they move in the wind. These massive pieces of stainless-steel tower into the sky and are hard to ignore, ranging from 30 to 50 feet tall. They demand your attention. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. I recommend making this stop part of a larger itinerary or checking it out if you are in the area and/or on your way somewhere else, to maximize your time. The Figure Skating Hall of fame is just around the corner from here.

These are some pretty enormous whimsical kinetic sculptures! The sculptures are on the private property at the corner of Pine Grove Ave & Evans Ave. On the front lawn you can see a number of the steel wind sculptures. Since this is a residence, you will view them from the street. There is no parking available that I saw. There is a parking lot for hiking trails that I parked in. Then I walked across Evans Ave. very carefully. People like to speed on that road. Starr Kempf was an architect, engineer, welder, teacher and artist. He died in 1995 by taking his own life. In an interview I saw, he said he wanted all his sculptures to remain on his lawn for all to see. Some time after Kempf's dath, his daughter gave tours. Due to a lot of people coming to view these sculptures, some of the other wards of the artist's estate and neighbors were not happy about it. The city came and removed some of the sculptures with the permission of one of Kempf's relatives, although his daughter protested. Three of these sculptures are: Sunrise Serenade, Metronome, and Space Needle. They 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. I should have driven over there to view them! They will be on display there until 2034. I had come to Manitou Springs from Denver and made a quick detour. This is just south of CO Springs. Some of the sculptures in the yard are a little hard to see with the trees obstructing the view! You can still see well enough because they are between 30-50 feet tall! It's worth the drive out if you are somewhat nearby.

It's free it's fabulous. So surreal in the Broadmor neighborhood! A troubled artist , so very far ahead of their time ? It's wonderful that the sculptures are still assembled on public display .

Starr Kempf was a brilliant metal sculptor. He built amazing mobile sculptures that remain on what was his front yard located just down from the Broadmoor. Here's what the website starts out by saying: "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." If you haven't seen his work, take a look at the pics below and on the website I've set out. But more importantly, go down and look at these incredible creations. They're unlike anything you've ever seen. They remind me of what the beings in "Alien" and its sequel would look like if they were fashion models. Totally awesome!

not the typical tourist stop but i was thrilled to find it. I am a fan of sculpture and Kinetic sculpture. I have turned my backyard into my own kinetic garden. We read about this artists work and wanted to try and find it. We went to his home that had several pieces behind a fence in a residential area ... took a peak but didn't want to be creepy or disrespectful. Then drove to the college that had a few more of his pieces. They are large and beautiful. Unfortunately not a windy day so the pieces weren't as in motion. Still very impressive. so sad this talented man committed suicide. Seems so many talented artists are troubled. Thank you for leaving us your art. We gps'ed address for the residence and the college .. plenty of free parking at the college right across from the sculptures but not much parking at the residence .. luckily we were the only once there so a spot to park for a quick look. some trees in the way but still worth the stop. wish a could have met him and told him how special his work is.

Wonderful sculpture! Still located in the family yard, these large kinetic sculptures are inspiring. Before you go, research the history of the sculptures and the backstory of the (partially successful) municipal efforts to remove the sculptures. You're in a residential neighborhood and should be respectful of the families when you visit.

This place is so cool. I remember finding it while just driving around aimlessly years ago. It is such a unique thing to see. The sculptures are so large, and the fact that they can freely move in the wind is pretty cool. This is a fun place to drive by and see the work and the beauty that has been created in their yard. This is a must see if you are in the area.

We came right at twilight to see the kinetic sculptures and they were simultaneously spooky and beautiful against the dimming sky. It's simple, you just park nearby and look at the giant sculptures in the front yard, but it's very nice. I would highly suggest reading a biography or some excerpt about the artist, his life, and his daughter's struggle to keep the sculptures while you're there, I really felt it added to the experience. There's a side road at the t-intersection you can pull off of to park, but there's no designated area.

I absolutely LOVE these kinetic sculptures. I love coming here thru the seasons to admire the work of this great and troubled artist. I truly wish that these sculptures would end up in a large park setting where they could be admired in their full glory and have some breathing room. But the family must want to keep them at home. And who can blame them? I would hoard them too if I had a chance!!! I find them most beautiful, with their shininess reflecting against our blue Colorado skies. They are so majestic and gorgeous in their simplicity! PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE! Be considerate of the family but also of the neighborhood!!! Park only in designated areas, don't be invasive, don't litter, DON'T BACK UP INTO PEOPLES DRIVEWAYS. Let's try not to ruin this for everyone. Let's keep Starr's work in our city! :)

Art is so totally cool. Check it out if you are in the area. Although the "exhibit" is in the yard of the artist, it's definitely interesting. Worth the stop in the upper scale Broadmoor neighborhood on Cheyenne Mountain.

Best damn property on the block. The lovely gentleman that lives there also sounds like he's from London.

Unless, for some reason known only to God, you are in this remote neighborhood of Colorado Spring, then do not waste your time going all the way there to see this. It is cool, yes, but not nearly what I had expected.

It's a must see , a beautiful design of balancing art. I met Mr Kempf while he was designing his last piece (Peace on Earth). His art is timeless, generation to come will enjoy his work.