A Salamander Sculpture Barn Raising

A Salamander Sculpture Barn Raising
George W. Hart

Computer Science Department.

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794-4400, USA

E-mail: [e-mail]


Abstract


Salamanders is a thirty-piece wooden sculpture that was group assembled by thirty volunteers in an exciting sculpture "barn raising" when I was artist-in-residence at M.I.T. in October/November 2003. It is composed of laser-cut salamander-shaped components which lie in the planes of a rhombic triacontahedron and were mathematically designed to weave through each other and exactly fit together on the outside.

1. Introduction

M.C. Escher playfully incorporated chameleons and other reptiles or amphibians in his two-dimensional geometric artwork [1]. In homage to his creative spirit, I designed my sculpture Salamanders to feature flat salamanders which interweave in three dimensions. Figure 1 shows it hanging temporarily inside a window overlooking the construction of Frank O. Gehry’s new Stata Center at M.I.T. [2], where the sculpture will eventually reside.



Figure 1: Salamanders

My ultimate concept, if funding can be found, is for a large metal double sphere as shown in Figure 2. The inner and outer spheres are each made of thirty identical two-headed salamander shapes. Each part is parallel to an identical part similarly oriented in the other sphere. I find it visually interesting to show that the same salamander parts can be joined in these two contrasting arrangements—one very open and one very interlocked. It is a puzzle with two very different solutions.

The outer sphere of Figure 2 does not present any inordinate construction challenges. I am certain that I can fabricate its thirty components and assemble them. The inner sphere was my fundamental concern. From a computer rendering such as Figure 3, I can verify that there exists a configuration in which the parts do not intersect each other in the interior, yet exactly meet edge-to-edge along the exterior. However there is no mathematical method to determine if the thirty initially separate rigid components of this sculpture can be physically manipulated to weave them into the desired configuration. What is the assembly algorithm? Notice that one could not simply position pieces one at a time, because if one tried to insert the last piece after all the others are positioned, the legs would block access.

The two hands of one sculptor are not sufficient to manipulate so many components simultaneously, so this was an ideal question for the collective creativity of a group assembly project. I have led other sculpture "barn raisings" [4], but for them I had a proven assembly algorithm pre-designed. When I was invited to be artist in residence at MIT [6], this thirty-component assembly projec

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A Salamander Sculpture Barn Raising
George W. Hart

Computer Science Department.

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794-4400, USA

E-mail: [e-mail] Abstract Salamanders is a Thirty-piece wooden sculpture that was assembled by Group Thirty volunteers. in an exciting sculpture "barn raising" when I was artist-in-residence at MIT in October / November 2003. It is composed of laser-cut salamander-shaped components which lie in the planes of a rhombic triacontahedron and were mathematically designed to weave. Through each and Other Fit Together exactly on the Outside. 1. Introduction M.C. Escher playfully incorporated chameleons and other reptiles or amphibians in his two-dimensional geometric artwork [1]. In homage to his creative spirit, I designed my sculpture Salamanders to feature flat salamanders which interweave in three dimensions. Figure 1 shows it temporarily Hanging Inside a Frank O. Gehry Window overlooking the Construction of New Stata Center at MIT ?? s [2], where the sculpture Will eventually reside. Figure 1: Salamanders My Ultimate Concept, if funding Can be Found,. is for a large metal double sphere as shown in Figure 2. The inner and outer spheres are each made ​​of thirty identical two-headed salamander shapes. Each part is parallel to an identical part similarly oriented in the other sphere. I find it visually interesting to show that the same salamander parts can be joined in these two contrasting arrangements ?? one very open and one very interlocked. It is a Puzzle with Two very different Solutions. The Outer sphere of Figure 2 does not present any challenges Inordinate Construction. I am certain that I can fabricate its thirty components and assemble them. The inner sphere was my fundamental concern. From a computer rendering such as Figure 3, I can verify that there exists a configuration in which the parts do not intersect each other in the interior, yet exactly meet edge-to-edge along the exterior. However there is no mathematical method to determine if the thirty initially separate rigid components of this sculpture can be physically manipulated to weave them into the desired configuration. What is the assembly algorithm? Notice that one could not simply position pieces one at a time, because if one tried to INSERT the last piece after all the others are Positioned, the legs would Block Access. The Two Hands of one Sculptor are not sufficient to Manipulate so MANY components simultaneously. , so this was an ideal question for the collective creativity of a group assembly project. I have led other sculpture "barn raisings" [4], but for them I had a proven assembly algorithm pre-designed. When I was invited to be artist in residence at MIT [6], this thirty-component assembly projec.