Here are some shots of the finished PeaceLove retail prototypes. The installation went smoothly, and only a few minor dimensional changes should be needed to finalize the designs. The model store is still being tweaked and merchandised, I'll post some more photos as the project progresses.
Here's some in-progress shots from the retail prototype build. I'll be posting some more info and photos of the finished pieces over the next few days.
The hardest part of this build was the location. Elkhart, Illinois is about 1300 miles from my studio and there was no way I could transport the finished piece that far. With just a few days on site and only a portion of my tools, it couldn't be constructed there in its entirety. The solution was to build the internal skeleton of the sculpture in my shop, break it down, pack it in my hatchback and drive it out with me. The final blueprint above shows the 11 octagons which would be pre-built along with their mounting blocks.
After 2 days of driving I arrived in Illinois and began assembly. The 12 foot, 4x4 post that would provide the backbone for the sculpture was already on site. After measuring and marking, I affixed the first few mounting blocks and octagons. Once the post was upright, I could mount the rest.
The next step was to cement a 4x4 aluminum tube into the ground. One stipulation of the piece was that it had to be removable for storage during the harsh winter. The wooden posts fits into the tube and is secured with a large bolt. When the sculpture needs to be moved, the bolt is simply removed and the piece can be lifted out for storage.
Once the cement dried, the post was installed and the rest of the octagons were mounted. This was actually the first time the skeleton was completely built. Although I had done mock-ups in my shop, I was unable to fully test everything beforehand due to height and time restrictions. Fortunately, it came together without a problem, and was better than I had hoped.
I tend to create a lot of dust and debris when working. So in order to keep electronics and finished projects out of harms way, I decided to turn the smaller space off the back of my studio into a clean room. The biggest hurdle was the irregular shape and size of the opening (about 6'x9')
Other factors also played into the final design. I did not want the door to have a large footprint and take up valuable floor space. I needed something lightweight, and easy to open by myself. There are numerous pipes and conduit running throughout the ceiling at varying heights. I did not want to spend more than $25, and I had absolutely no plan when I started building.
Ropes strung throughout the ceiling meet at an out of service fuse box where I can control and tie off the door. Pulling down on the main rope, opens the door halfway, and allows for personal access. The remaining two ropes fully open the door and allows for passage of larger objects. The two blocks on each side of the door lock it snugly against the wall, preventing any dust from getting in.
I also built a rack to hold all of the wood given to me by my friend Robin of Peacock Taco. I'll be elaborating on that in a future post.
Here's the original concept sketch, along with another design for a freestanding unit.
