Blooming Life
Blooming Life
"Blooming Life" is a kinetic sculpture that was sponsored by Dan Ryan for the Carroll Creek Kinetic Art Promenade. The inspiration behind the piece comes from local flowers such as black-eyed Susans, tulips, daffodils, roses, and irises. It takes the form of a large flower with three sets of spinning petals connected to a curved stem. The large flower acts as a symbol of nature. Made of painted aluminum, the sculpture is durable and able to withstand the elements for at least three years.
Fabrication
"Blooming Life" is designed to spin with the wind. Because each set of petals is bent in a slightly different direction, the sets rotate in opposite directions at speeds determined by the wind. This movement makes the colors of the sculpture appear to change as it spins. Each set of petals is connected to a stainless-steel, double-shield radial bearing on a central pipe. The symmetry of the sculpture allows each set of petals to spin freely around its axis.
The sculpture is designed to be installed in Carroll Creek by inserting the stem into the Pyramid. The Pyramid is a freestanding, submerged metal structure with a 5-foot vertical central cylinder. Emerging from the water, the sculpture and its reflection will be visible from many angles along the shore. "Blooming Life" will have a diameter of approximately 5 feet and the top will stand 5 feet above the water. The sculpture will weigh about 100 pounds.