General Information
Title: Looking Glass Grass
By: Remo Campopiano & Lisa Roy (Concept by Remo Campopiano)
Date: September 31, 2023
Location: 3130 Northdale Blvd, Coon Rapids. MN
Dimensions: both 13′ x 3′ x 3′
Materials: Galvanized & stainless steel, and 3d-printed ASA filament.
Budget: $15,000
Design Problem
The request was that the art had to be stimulating when viewed from inside as well as outside. This is an ongoing exploration by Campopiano to repurpose common forms in nature as large sculptural icons.
Modular Construction
We employed a modular system consisting of, from top down; Seedpod, Wire, Sheath, Rod, Plug, Pipe, down to Retainer Pipe. Below are the specifications for each.
Seedpod
The seedpods are all the same size, approximately 6.5 inches tall, by .5 inch in diameter. They are printed vertically in groups of 9 pods connected with a 1/16″ x 1/16″ bridge between them. The bridge keeps them stable during fast shifts in the printer bed. The bridges are easily cut away with an x-acto knife. The are printer in groups of 27 pods at a time, which takes just under 24 hours. This sculpture requires 444 seedpods.
Wire
The wires are all 3/32″ stainless steel. No wire is longer that 14.5″ long, or shorter than 9 inches. The top of the wire traverses 5.5″ into the bottom of seedpod. The fit is slightly loose so that it can easily be epoxied to the seedpod.
Sheath
They vary in length and diameter according to which rod diameter they are associated with. With the exception of the one 3/8″ diameter sheath, all sheaths accept 9 seedpod-wire assemblies, 3 in the top and 6 in the sides. The one exception accepts 12.
Rods
The robs have 3 diameters; 3/8″, 5/16″ and 1/4″. The one 3/8″ rod is only used in the center pipe and, according to engineering calculations, can be no longer than 74″ long; 5/16″, no longer that 57″; and 1/4″ no longer than 38″.
