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| New Works: "Roller Birdie" and her offspring "Lil Ball Peep" |
| Click on photos throughout this site for a larger picture. Be sure to check out the "VIDEOS" page to see all the sculptures in action. Please check our site again for more upcoming works. |
| "Roller Birdie" A New Kinetic Metal Sculpture by John M. Schwab |
The introduction of "Roller Birdie" adds a uniquely specialized Rolling Ball
Sculpture to this collection. The bird is driven by THREE of his Little Men,
employing them to work with a single moving steel ball that energizes the work.
This is a large (over 3 1/2 feet tall), more complex sculpture, employing a
motorized ball lift mechanism that maintains motion once started. Lift of the ball
takes approx. 28 seconds, while the descent occurs in about 17 seconds where
the process begins once again. While the rolling ball is really "in charge", one
Little Man operates the lift of the ball, one concentrates on "beak control", while
the third is in charge of feet actuation. Additionally, Roller Birdie's eyes, tail, and
wing movements are also energized by the rolling ball. The sculpture includes
many details and parts including the "Roller Birdie" leg band.
SIZE of SCULPTURE: 43" High X 45" Wide (w/tail "feathers"- body is 35" Wide) X
15" Deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
Sculpture to this collection. The bird is driven by THREE of his Little Men,
employing them to work with a single moving steel ball that energizes the work.
This is a large (over 3 1/2 feet tall), more complex sculpture, employing a
motorized ball lift mechanism that maintains motion once started. Lift of the ball
takes approx. 28 seconds, while the descent occurs in about 17 seconds where
the process begins once again. While the rolling ball is really "in charge", one
Little Man operates the lift of the ball, one concentrates on "beak control", while
the third is in charge of feet actuation. Additionally, Roller Birdie's eyes, tail, and
wing movements are also energized by the rolling ball. The sculpture includes
many details and parts including the "Roller Birdie" leg band.
SIZE of SCULPTURE: 43" High X 45" Wide (w/tail "feathers"- body is 35" Wide) X
15" Deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
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| NOTE: NOT an outdoor sculpture! Shown here for photo purpose ONLY! |
NOTE: NOT an outdoor
sculpture! Shown here
for photo purpose ONLY!
sculpture! Shown here
for photo purpose ONLY!
NOT an outdoor sculpture-Photo purpose only
 | |  |
| 'Lil Ball Peep (Roller Birdie's offspring) |
This "chick" is the recently hatched offspring of John's
"Roller Birdie" sculpture. Continuing in the style and
mechanization of "Roller Birdie", 'Lil Ball Peep is also a
rolling ball sculpture utilizing the Little Man's effort to
create the motion that enables rolling steel ball
animation. This sculpture is especially unique in that it
uses two rolling balls moving simultaneously along with a
spiraling ramp to elevate the balls. These mechanisms
result in this little bird being a bit more "active" than its
parent. The Little Man cranks the ball lift mechanism as
Peep's eyes blink. As the balls find their way from beak to
foot level, they cause wing, tail feathers, beak, and feet
movements. During their descent, as one ball is stopped
in its travel, the other ball re-initiates its motion. As with
Roller Birdie, once energized, Lil Ball Peep's motion and
ball movements are continuous without intervention from
the observer.
Size of Sculpture: 33" High X 20" Wide including wings.
The plump little birdie body is about 17" across and deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
"Roller Birdie" sculpture. Continuing in the style and
mechanization of "Roller Birdie", 'Lil Ball Peep is also a
rolling ball sculpture utilizing the Little Man's effort to
create the motion that enables rolling steel ball
animation. This sculpture is especially unique in that it
uses two rolling balls moving simultaneously along with a
spiraling ramp to elevate the balls. These mechanisms
result in this little bird being a bit more "active" than its
parent. The Little Man cranks the ball lift mechanism as
Peep's eyes blink. As the balls find their way from beak to
foot level, they cause wing, tail feathers, beak, and feet
movements. During their descent, as one ball is stopped
in its travel, the other ball re-initiates its motion. As with
Roller Birdie, once energized, Lil Ball Peep's motion and
ball movements are continuous without intervention from
the observer.
Size of Sculpture: 33" High X 20" Wide including wings.
The plump little birdie body is about 17" across and deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
| In the hatchery... |
BRAIN on DRUGS
|
The Brain on Drugs sculpture utilizes a
remote electronic timing module, micro
switches, and DC circuit boards (for LED
lighting) in addition to cams, levers, ramps,
balls etc., which enables the proper
start/stop and sequencing of the sculpture
movements.
The operation of the Brain Sculpture works
in this way:
An observer presses the start lever and the
“drug” ball rolls from the mouth into the
head. The “Little Man” inside the brain takes
over and the “opioid” key rises to open the
“opioid receptor” lock. The “brain” is
activated and a ball rolls energizing LED
lights while a bell drops in front of the bell
hammer and the bell sounds twice. The key
drops out of the receptor lock, but the “little
man” inside the brain continues with the
desire for more drug and begins the
opioid/receptor cycle again. Two pennies
rotate as a reminder of the brains value on
drugs--about two cents. The cycle repeats
five times then automatically stops, awaiting
another start activation by an observer.
The size of the Brain is approx. 20.5" tall and
13" in diameter,
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