the work:
kinetic tent is, as the name implies, as circus-tent-like structure secured to the ceiling with four teardrop shaped steel hoops, sisal twine and rope originally used to secure stage curtains. it has a cylindrical central frame with four support bars which are bent to hold the four loop sections which compose the rest of the steel frame. the lower wheel measures five feet across and has sixteen pivots, each two feet long, which, when horizontal, make the frame measure nine feet across. the upper conic hoop section measures three feet across and one foot high. the frame is four and a half feet high and is made from scratch using only 5/16 of an inch and 3/8 of an inch cold rolled steel rod- with the exception of the sixteen washers functioning as pivots which are made from 1/4 of an inch by three inch stock. the entire frame is mig welded and most curves are achieved using an oxy-acetylene rosebud torch.
the fabric section is made from thirty yards of assorted fabrics. all the banners are in the vicinity of twelve feet long and fourteen to sixteen inches wide. all banners block all light and would theoretically make a completely lightless enclosure. the fabric banners are all attached to the metal pivots in two places. there are also thirty-two chopsticks which hold the fabric banners and keep them from rumpling. the upper black fabric section is connected to the steel conic section with eight pieces of black ribbon. the sixteen banners pass over one of the inner middle hoops and wrap around sixteen chopsticks which all attach to pieces of cotton string, then sisal twine, then a twirled steel clasp. the clasp is held in place with a circular latch mechanism. the latch is kept in place with two yellow rubber bands. two ropes dangle from the structure which is seven feet off the ground. one rope, when pulled, releases the latch and allows the sixteen fabric banners to fall from horizontal position to vertical position. the other rope, when pulled, forces all the banners to swing back upwards and return to horizontal open position. ideally, when closed, the sculpture creates a completely dark circular space which is five feet across and seven feet high. the entire structure is about ten feet high, with ropes touching the ceiling support structure at about twelve feet up.
the concept:
kinetic tent is most fundamentally an attempt to create a previously non-existent space, and to do it immediately. ideally, when the rope is pulled, the banners on their metal pivots fall quickly and loudly to create, after the sudden motion, a dark contemplative space in which the ambience and acoustics are different from the area immediately outside. since the structure begins open and full of light, and only closes when someone walks to the center and pulls the rope, the each viewer has a hand in the creation of the space giving it a personal aspect. the room inside the tent is intended to be a refuge which could ideally sustain it’s allure for an extended period of time- perhaps eventually resulting in unintentional naps.
the second consideration in the concept was that it be constructed from the most basic elements possible. the only things bought were steel rod, fabric, thread, ribbon, chopsticks, twine, string, duct tape and glue sticks. every component was painstaking constructed and assembled over a period of about twenty-five days and somewhere between one-hundred-twenty and two-hundred work hours. thus, the sculpture aims to be most completely an artwork made by hand and has a strong set of aesthetic values associated with it. additionally, it would not have been at all possible without the help of many people- whether it was by letting me borrow tools and equipment, giving me structural advice, support and encouragement and finally assisting with moving the piece as well as assembling it. thanks to everyone who made it possible!
the process:
