Continuing from where I left off, I decided to try something more ambitious. Using multiple reference photos I was able to figure out the basic pattern of this complex looking tower sculpture. I made a small mock up of the template and once I was happy with how it turned out, I modified it by making the struts skinnier so the pattern could be multiplied to a higher degree.
The basic pattern of the tower structure. The upper half is simply the bottom design in reverse.
The final tower design is quite large and measures 12 inches high. I used 300 g/m hot press watercolor paper so it wouldn’t buckle under it’s own weight.
This next sculpture is a simplified version of the spiral design in my last post. Using a smaller piece of paper I applied the same principle of concentric half-circles rotated at 45-degree intervals. With only seven struts, the structure is not nearly as complex, but the effect is much more satisfying. The circles are even able to support themselves when the sculpture is tilted on its side.
This next design was produced entirely by folding.
Another variation on rotating concentric circles; instead of half circles, whole circles are rotated 45 degrees and "hinged” at equilateral points on their circumference. Essentially a paper gyroscope, this design reminds me of medieval models of the universe.
And last but not least, there’s this sculpture that also plays with concentric circles and 90 degree angles. It’s simple to construct and interesting to look at. It took me a minute to figure out how it was made but as with most of the other sculptures, the underlying pattern is relatively basic and the complexity is derived from the use of repetition and transformation.
