One of the most common questions Pete gets on his review videos is about the red swinging sticks moving on the desk behind him. This video finally gives that background piece its own spotlight. It is called The Swinging Sticks, a kinetic sculpture that looks like a simple pendulum at first glance, but turns out to be far more interesting once it starts moving.
Up close, the two sticks flow smoothly and elegantly, constantly shifting in unpredictable ways. Pete says the pattern never repeats, and that is what makes it so hard to ignore. He admits he has spent more time than he would like to admit just watching it.
Watch the video above for a close look at the motion in real time, how quiet it runs, and the simple trick Pete uses to stop and restart it without any buttons or switches.
How the electromagnetic drive keeps it moving
There is no conventional motor here. The Swinging Sticks uses electromagnetic impulse technology to keep everything in motion, which creates the impression that it is moving entirely on its own. The two sticks work as a linked pair, a double pendulum style arrangement where a small change in one affects the other, so the movement keeps shifting instead of settling into a repeating swing.
The longer stick does most of the visible movement, while the shorter one helps balance it out. Pete describes the result as smooth, elegant and genuinely hypnotic, more like slow moving art than a gadget working through a programmed routine.
How quiet it really is
Noise matters for anything that lives on a desk all day, and Pete describes this sculpture as very nearly silent. At a certain point in the movement you can hear a very faint clicking or whirring type noise, but he says he can only hear it in a completely silent room when he is actively listening for it.
With any normal ambient sound in an office, living room or filming setup, that faint noise effectively disappears. The motion draws your eye without demanding your attention, which is what you want from a piece meant to sit in the background and do its thing indefinitely.
Design, colours and the version in the video
The design is minimalist, sleek and striking without being loud. The base is large, stable and solid, but Pete notes it is meant to stay understated so the fluid movement of the sticks takes centre stage. Nothing about the base competes for attention, and that restraint is what makes it look so clean on a desk.
Online, The Swinging Sticks comes in a range of colour combinations, with different coloured bases and sticks, including the red version viewers kept asking about. The version shown here is the basic model, sometimes called the toy version. Pete notes there are also larger original and XL models at considerably higher prices, but for his desk he would stick with this basic version. A separate article on the site already compares the basic and original models in detail.
Where to place it
As a kinetic art piece, it can go almost anywhere you want a calm focal point. Pete suggests the background at the office, where he says it can help reduce stress and support focus, plus a living room or hallway as a conversation starter. The video description also points to public spaces, and a reception area would suit its quiet, endless motion well.
It does need a stable spot where it will not get bumped, because Pete calls it a sensitive piece of equipment. Handle it gently, and avoid humid or extremely hot environments, as the description advises, to keep it in good shape.
Batteries, stopping it and basic care
This basic version runs on four AA batteries and uses very little energy. Pete says he changes them every few months, so there is no cable to hide and running costs are minimal. There are no buttons, settings or on and off switch. To stop it, hold the sticks vertically for a few seconds and it will sit in place, drawing no power. That is handy if you are going away or only want it running occasionally.
To restart it, give the sticks a small nudge and it automatically picks up the motion again. You will know the batteries are fading when it can no longer complete a full rotation, and eventually it will stop altogether. Care is minimal: a light dusting now and then, with the sticks held in that stopped vertical position while you clean.
Frequently asked questions
How does The Swinging Sticks keep moving without a motor? It uses electromagnetic impulse technology to keep the sticks in motion, making the movement look as if it is happening entirely on its own.
Is The Swinging Sticks noisy? No. Pete describes it as very nearly silent, with only a very faint clicking audible in a completely silent room when listening for it.
What batteries does the basic version use? The basic version shown in the video takes four AA batteries, which Pete says he replaces every few months.
How do you turn The Swinging Sticks off? Hold the sticks vertically for a few seconds and it will sit in place without drawing power. A small nudge restarts it.
Verdict
Pete calls The Swinging Sticks an elegant blend of art and science that captures attention and sparks conversation. His closing verdict is straightforward: he would totally buy another one, and may eventually do that for his living room. For calming decor with no noise, cables or real upkeep, it earns its permanent spot on his desk.
If you want the same basic version Pete uses, you can check out The Swinging Sticks here and pick the colour combination that suits your space.