Sounds like a solid idea. Keep your cuts tight—use a fine-tooth saw or a router with a fine bit, and always test each piece on a scrap before you cut the final. For the moving parts, add a small clearance gap, maybe a tenth of an inch, so the wood can slide or spin without binding. Use a light, low‑friction material like Teflon washers or a small amount of silicone grease where the fabric or wood meets the moving frame. To keep the sculpture stable, anchor the base with a weighted center—add a piece of dense hardwood or a small stone, and bolt it into the floor or a heavy block. If the gears need to rotate freely, use a low‑load ball bearing or a simple wooden bearing: cut a shallow groove, fill it with a few layers of waxed wood shavings, and clamp it in place. That way you get smooth motion but the structure won’t wobble. Test the whole thing at a slow pace first; you’ll catch any imbalances early and can tweak the supports before the final assembly.

Glad to help—just remember to keep the cuts tight and the tolerances honest. When you start turning that first gear, I’ll be watching from the corner, not in the middle of the action. Let’s see if your walnut base holds the weight and the Teflon keeps it moving smooth. Good luck.