©2011
Triune Progress Week Four
This week's tasks led away from the straightforward metal work into some strategy mapping
on how to think about relaying accurate information to the folks in Kansas who will be pouring the
concrete base for the sculpture. Now that I had the basics of the support structure for the kinetic elements,
I could make some reasonably precise projections as to the finished sculpture's relationship to its future site.
To do this I dropped plumb lines from the top of each upright where the axles for each spinning element
will be placed, and then mapped that on the floor of the studio.
That mapping got scaled down to paper where I could draw out the 5' radius circles that will define the maximum
reach of the kinetic elements, and then map that shape into the space designated for the sculpture (pictured at the top
of the page). Once I hear back that we're all on the same page I'll be sending an acetate diagram of the steel base
and it's anchoring system so the pad can be poured and anchor bolts placed.
Waiting for feedback from Kansas allowed an opening for a scrapyard adventure with my friend and fellow sculptor
Wayne Vaughn, www.thesculpturefarm.com. Thought it might be interesting for some of you who don't have the
opportunity in your daily rounds to visit this unusual art supply site to get a taste of its exotic nature.
A mountain of shredded steel provides the backdrop for the area of the yard reserved for the good stuff.
All potential sculptures, some work required.
Contemplating some rather patriotic scrap.
Wayne came looking for something specific - always a mistake on these ventures where no matter
how often you've seen the angle or pipe in stock in the past, chances of finding it now will be slim. Better to go
with an open mind. Here Wayne finds not what he needs, but what puts a smile on regardless. Riveting like that
hasn't been a manufacturing mainstay for a long time, so who knows how old that piece is.
Nothing for me today, I've got plenty on my plate with Triune. But we've loaded some treasures for Wayne.
One more creative side journey to take care of a small commission for the local arts commission, a satisfying bit
of instant gratification amidst the longer marathon of Triune.
But finally it was time to knuckle down. The creation of these joints to be able to disassemble the sculpture for travel
will take up most of the coming week.
Custom-cut pieces create the surrounding flange. Bolt holes drilled and tapped into the underlying steel.
Then the flange is lifted and the arm cut and separated from the base, repositioned, flange re-bolted, and then welded
to the upright.
An elegant solution I think, but low on drama as far as creating big visual changes. But then there are times
when that's the whole point. One down, two to go.