One of the ideas that we came up with was a very simple one. Put as many buttons on the wall as possible and let people press them. Of course, it’d be better if they lit up and responded. Without any particular game in mind though, we knew that people will love these things. Fact: people love to press buttons. So, we started construction on a few “Button Walls.”

The general design is simple: put the buttons on the wall, use a microcontroller to monitor them and make them light up. However, there are always complications, including some we create ourselves. In an effort to use as few parts as possible, we use multiplexors to light up the LEDs and monitor the button switches. Wiring all of the buttons takes quite a bit of patience. (Special thanks to Eliot for helping us out and making these pretty!)

Of course, we made this version a pair of fun gears. (A quick nod to Matthias Wandel for his gear generating software!)

And if you build a couple of interlocking gears, they absolutely must turn. Unfortunately, this isn’t negotiable. But, how do we get these gears to turn and not tangle up the wires? Well, wireless works wonders in getting the signal to a server so these button walls can interact. But power is more difficult. Some of the installations for these things are permanent, so we better come up with a better solution.

The answer, of course, is a slip ring. These slip rings were available from Adafruit.

We mounted it to a wooden board, which connected the gears to the lazy susan bearing we picked up from VXB Bearings. The end result is a pair of interlocking gears that can rotate easily. You’ll notice that the gears are a little bit separated so we don’t have to clean up as much spilled blood when people inevitably put their hands in there.

Here’s a video of it in action:

What has Bob been up to lately?  Well, he’s got a show going on right now in Jakarta, Indonesia (or is it in Dubai?).  http://www.artdubai.ae/2013/galleries/edwins-gallery  Bob tells me that there was a scary moment when they plugged his 110V motor into a 220V socket!  Luckily the docent was fast and unplugged it before the motor fried itself.  Be careful with the standard voltage sources if you’re showing electrical art pieces worldwide!

Bob has also told me about a documentary that features the Old Timey folk band he was in, Highwoods String Band.  There are a few snippets of interviews with Bob in this, but it’s all about his fiddle playing, not about his other amazing talents.

Here is the result:

The transformer is rated for 6200V * 82mA = 508W. We’re actually pulling ~80A (off my ammeter scale) at 110V = 8.8kW! The coils of the transformer felt a little warm after just a few cycles. I’m not surprised at all, but it means I need to find a good way of reducing the input current. I’m going to wind my own choke on the input to try and limit the current going in.

Stay tuned!

While we were putting together the Feast and getting it ready for Burning Man, we knew that we had to involve some fire art.  I was slammed with rebuilding the entire rear-end drivetrain of the Feast as we had completely over-torqued the transmission.  However, one of my volunteers, Bill, was very enthusiastic about a fire chandelier, and heavily encouraged me to get it done as well.  He went so far as to invite a copper artist down from Oakland to fly down and help.

I don’t like to stand in the way of enthusiasm, so I ordered some copper spheres, some copper flower parts, and started testing some flaming nozzle ideas.  Wind resistance is very important for Burning Man and the reliability of any fire art, frankly.  I got a single nozzle roughly working right before Ken Griswa showed up to put it all together.  Bill, Ken, and I discussed our vision for the chandelier and immediately jived.  I set Ken up with the tools I had and he quickly got to work.  What an amazing artist!    After a day he had put this shiny copper masterpiece together:

We used bronze wool to keep the flame lit during a gust of wind.  The flame goes dim and jumps to the “sheltered” side of the puff of wool, but it quickly relights when the wind subsides.  Even during the harsh dust storms of Burning Man it held up great!  The Fire Chandelier did a fantastic job of setting the mood for a decadent meal on the playa.

 I realized that the fire chandelier would work great for setting the mood during an outdoor party as well.  I built a stand that utilized the “shepherd hook” of the Feast and would hold the chandelier for the guests of a party.  I could see utilizing this in the backyard just as easily.

In fact, if you’re interested in a fire chandelier for your backyard or any other outdoor venue, please let me know.  Ken and I would love to put some more together!  It can run on propane or natural gas with no problems.

We got picked up in the blog Yo Venice, to boot!

More photos below the fold.

The amazing night photos are by Roy Persinko, who just happened to be walking by that night.  Thanks Roy!

On Sunday, October 7th, we put the tablecloth on A Moveable Feast, hung the chandelier, and headed out for a nice pedal through the streets of LA for CicLAvia!

We set out at 10:30 or so with 6 pedalers.  We had no problems crossing the LA river bridge and train tracks into downtown proper.  The biggest obstacle we faced was a steep hill from Spring up to Broadway into Chinatown.  We pedaled hard and with gusto and were able to mount the hill without having to get off and push.  This was our first major hill since the new drivetrain, and I was definitely impressed!

CicLAvia was alive with thousands of bicycles in the streets.  Everyone was waving, cheering, and smiling as we pedaled through.  We must’ve raised our glasses to hundreds of cell phone cameras throughout the day.  Everyone wanted to talk to us about the project and give us their complements.  We were tickled pink.  It’s always a great feeling to have other people truly enjoy your creation.

We had to stop a couple of times to take a break and refill our crystal and silver water containers.  But, spirits were high and we weren’t as tired as I thought we’d be.  We met up with Catherine who brought her magic camera.  She always takes jaw dropping photos, so I’m definitely looking forward to the results.  After a short stop at the Down & Out for some hydration and simple carbs, we hopped back on the Feast.

We decided to turn around once the route turned on 7th street.  However far we pedaled that day we were going to have to pedal back.  We didn’t want to get home late at night, so we decided to start the slow trek back home.   Surprisingly all of the gearing, chains, and sprockets stayed functional without so much as a chain needing to be re-attached.  This was the first time that no one had to crawl under the table to get their hands dirty re-aligning some chain.  Is the Feast getting actually reliable?  I couldn’t be happier.

Many people took some photos of us, but most don’t know what the thing is called.  So, usually they’re lost to the anonymity of the internet.  However, I was able to find a few photos online.  Here are some links:

Red Kite Prayer

Larchmont Buzz

Los Angeles Magazine

If you find more photos out there, let me know in the comments.

I wanted to see if using proper bearings would create a nice frictionless chaotic pendulum.  I wasn’t disappointed.  By tightening the machine screw on the top pivot point and the acorn nuts on the bottom pivot point I’m able to squeeze on the thrust bearings.   I played with the tightness till things were just tight enough, but not too tight to cause excess friction and drag.  I’m very pleased with the results.  Now I just need to finish a walnut cover for the shaft support and bolt this thing to a nice sturdy wall.

The brass was definitely the most expensive part of this project.  But, it took a surprising number of man hours to get the finish right, the holes drilled correctly, etc.  But, it was a blast making this thing.

Hello,

I just finished watching every youtube video of your kinetic sculptures that I could find.  I am highly impressed by the complex motions you are able to develop out of the relatively simple cams and gearing.I’ve got a physics/engineering background, but lately I’ve found myself in the art world, where I’ve frankly been a fish out of water.  I’m inspired by your work, and interested in some of your techniques.

Just so you get an idea of who I am, I’ve built machines for music videos, my own electric car, and most recently a bicycle powered dining table (please excuse the bad video quality.)

Enough about me, though, I’m interested in you and your background.  How did you come to start building the amazing contraptions you build?  Are you from a Fine Arts background or from an engineering frame of mind.  Where do you source your parts?  Many kinetic sculptors source parts from found equipment.  The gears you use look like they’re either home-made (impressive!) or catalog purchased.  Are these machines made out of stainless, or is it polished steel that I’m looking at?  What sort of tools do you employ?  Mill, lathe, and TIG welder?  Do you do your own casting?  When you work, do you come up with a plan to execute, or do you start tinkering away and arrive at a contraption?  Any lessons for the beginner artist?  Are your pieces commissioned, or do you sell them after you make them?  I hope I’m not asking inappropriate questions.  Feel free to ignore any questions you don’t wish to answer, or the entire email.

Thanks for the inspiration, either way!

Cheers,
Dan

Hi Dan,Thanks for you very nice response about my work.About me, well I am 70 years old born and raised in San Francisco. Loved to work in my dad’s shop and was a Hot Rodder and motorcycle gear-head from an early age. Did the Navy, then a couple yr’s at SF city collage, learned a little math and dropped out of the institutional thing. Pop got me into the carpenters union.My older brother, Artist (Hada) Don Potts was teaching a UC Berkley and asked me if I would help him with a long term project called “My First Car” which introduced me to the Art world in Berkeley in the 60ies. He was my mentor and a true Artist www.ar-t.org.At that time I started playing fiddle in the Old Time style. The project took about 6 years and did a tour of the countries top museums. It is hard to find, but the ar-t site may help. It was a remote control car and three more variations of the first. That is when I was introduced to the creative process in depth and  my machine and welding capabilities grew.After that I played and toured with an Old Time stringband “Highwoods Stringband”. That brought me here to the east cost. After seven years of traveling it ran its course. I stayed here, and reverted back to my carpentry skills, got married, had three kids. Built a house, planted a garden, you know “back to the land’. It’s a good life.

I got a job with a couple of brothers building a Corvette with rear wheel steering. To get the funds for that and another IMSA car we built automation machines for the computer industry. The money ran out for racing so I left.

That’s when I met George Rhoads and built rolling ball sculptures (audio Kinetic Sculptures) for 20 yr’s. In the meantime realizing that I had to create my own work. Here I am using the tools I have learned to use by the seat of my pants. My pallet is made up of gears, bearings, nuts and bolts etc. I have a small one man shop in a 1850′s barn. Woodworking shop and a machine shop, TIG and MIG welders. I like to use all mediums. I have done allot of dumpster diving and am inspired with found objects. I also have lots of catalogs for gears. bearings etc. I like to make pieces that will last. I use mostly mild steel clearcoated and waxed.

I do tinker away and come up with ideas. I make stick models to work out geometry. No high powered CAD programs here. Much of the time what I start out with is much different then the results. It is very rewarding to see a piece grow and evolve.  I am looking for the gracefulness that surrounds us, I use the talents I have to try and bring it forth.  I do sell my work and would consider a commission but am a little hesitant of restrictions and deadlines.

Enough about me, I checked out your sites and am blown away. I have a 66 TR4A IRS.  Haven’t driven it for awhile, its been on jack stands for 10yr’s, kind of a painting on the wall. I have thought of making a electric car, but… Now the” This To Shall Pass happening” had me spellbound and laughing out loud. I am envious.  When I built for George Rhoads it was business and sell it. What I saw was fun and profound!  And the pedal powered dinning table. Man I would love to have a dinner invitation, do you live down the road?

As for art, and being a fish out of water. I would say yes, and many say the fish came out and walked. well that’s what you are doing I think your work is great. Is not Art the reflection of the evolution of the artist. My brother Hada told me once when I asked what is art, he said “Thou Art.”

Best to you,
Bob Potts

Update!

Due to all of the traffic from ThisIsColossal, I decided to add some more information about Bob.