Flat Earth Cosmology
In a previous Bang before our Big Bang the creator was joyfully re-purposing matter and energy into a new and experimental universe.
The creator smashed flat a whole universe of flat planets orbiting flat stars in flat galaxies and big round infinities in no time at all. Flat Earth, folded in a taco shape at birth, was one of these prototypical carbon masterpieces. A billion years latter Flat Earth unfolded its cosmic table top with just enough gravity and chemistry for conscious life to propagate.
Flat Earth’s unseen dark side faced a frozen blank sky. Topside the horizon’s rigid straight line framed crumbling edges, treacherous falling waters, and perilous cliffs. Flat Earth had scarce gravity so falling off Flat Earth into oblivion was but one misstep away. Over time orbiting rings formed around Flat Earth filled with floating bodies of hapless former inhabitants.
So the creator scrapped the whole flat-planet universe and moved on to a new Bang and more spherical geometry. Ancestors from this relic Bang are convinced that we in fact dwell in such a place today, but then it may all be just perception.
After much insight mixed with generous conjecture, I present my scale model of the creator’s Flat Earth original prototype before its fateful recycling and rebirth into our Big Bang. This kinetic art is a four dimensional painting where every surface is a composition.
Expanding Universe Out of a Box
Mirror Box Kinetic Sculpture
Snake in the Grass Kinetic Sculpture
Baade's Window Transforming Gimbal
Experimenting with Gimbals
Reflective Gimbal
The challenge for this gimbal was to create a reflective gimbal with two high gloss and reflective qualities. The gimbal can be mixed to create reflective and glossy black circles interacting with light and shadows.I curved the individual plates to reflect more light and give extra dimension to the gimbal.
Sculpture- Cast Away and Re-assembled
After we weathered the financial storm of 2008 I was forced to downsize our studio and quickly liquidate much of our equipment. I kept several pieces from computers, office equipment and even my old tie racks (won't be needing those ties anymore). In some kind of a funk I assembled these pieces. It reminded me of all the model cars and planes I glued together as a child.
Each of these sculptures is built to spin (on old bearings and hard drive motors), bounce, and glitter or just express shapes. Each piece has its own symmetry or composition when viewed from above, and a unique appearance from each side depending on where one stops the spinning art. Someone reminded me of ancient prayer wheels that devotees spin each day. Something about spinning an object appeals to people.
