This dynamic sculpture would be gimbaled to the apex of a tall tripod. Hanging underneath, the lower end would resemble a wide showerhead.
Water drops would slowly seep out of its widespread holes to form icicles in the cold air. In temperate climates, a thin, flexible, refrigerant tube, hanging by each hole, could facilitate ice formation.
Above the gimbal ring, a large vane would catch and lean from the changing wind, causing the balanced icicle generator to lean in the opposite direction. Alternately, the upper structure could follow the sun with the help of optics and motors.
Nature, the type of suspension and the weight of the ice would all contribute to the formation of parallel zigzags or corkscrews of ice. As older, curved stalactites fell off, new ones would start to form.
By feeding water of different colors to different holes or at different times, a sinus-curved rainbow of painted pendants would result.-- FarmerJohn, Mar 25 2003 (?) Spiral Icicle http://www.smithson...b97/spiral_jpg.htmlper Andy Goldsworthy. [DrCurry, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004] Star Icicle http://cgee.hamline...hy/gold_icestar.gif [DrCurry, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004] A Fabulous Book http://www.amazon.c...10933519/halfbakery [DrCurry, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004] Hah! I've just seen some natural ones, courtesy of drips down some hanging Christmas lights. I guess the increasing weight of the icicle gradually tipped the wire over.
However, if you really want to see some bent icicles, check out the work of Andy Goldsworthy, definitely one of the most half-baked (but brilliant) artists anywhere in the world.-- DrCurry, Mar 25 2003 Should even create interlocking icicle ‘branches’ too!-- Shz, Mar 25 2003 +This idea is very Goldsworthy-y. Although, as far as I know, Goldsworthy doesn’t use machinery, or any material other than what he finds, with the exception of spit.-- AO, Mar 25 2003 Could be done with wax, too-- bristolz, Mar 25 2003 Or saturated sugar water. Or chocolate. Mmmm... giant chocolate curls.-- Worldgineer, Mar 25 2003 Don't even think about wrapping me around a tree-- thumbwax, Mar 25 2003 AO: Goldsworthy makes a point of *only* using items found on the spot, whatever he is up to. If there is no water to hand, he uses urine or spit. Of course, he then takes (beautiful) pictures using a regular camera and film, but I guess that part doesn't count. I did say he was half-baked.-- DrCurry, Mar 25 2003 Poor thumbwax. That's a terrible way of being stuck to a tree.-- Worldgineer, Mar 25 2003 This dynamic sculpture
Gimbaled from the Apex
Hanging underneath
Water drops would slowly seep.
Above the gimbal Ring
Lean from the changing wind
Opposite Direct
The ice would all contribute
Older curved stalactites
Form by feeding water
Sinus curved rainbow
Painted pendants would result.-- bungston, Mar 25 2003 beauteous-- brenna, Mar 25 2003 ::::applause::::
Yes, it immediately put me in mind of Andy Goldsworthy also. He's one of my very favourite artists, I crave the books of his photos but unfortunately can never afford them.
This would make a wonderful beautiful public sculpture.-- madradish, Mar 26 2003 Lovely idea. Just to counter the tide of Goldsworthy adulation in the annos, I find his work rather unineresting.-- hippo, Mar 26 2003 madradish: you can come round my house and read them - I've got most of them (sheesh, they're not *that* expensive).-- DrCurry, Mar 26 2003 random, halfbakery