Hello PushPullers (why does that sound like I'm speaking to a Masturbator's Anonymous meeting?).
I've been poking around here for quite some time- Lurking, I think the kids call it.
I'm feeling somewhat stuck, lacking direction and purpose for my work. I make sculptures, which tangentially connects me to architecture through public placements. I've noticed a general atmosphere of quality around here, and am hoping for some critical input to help move my work along. Here are some examples of what I've done before:

Litlle Rock National Airport, Little Rock AR

"Solar Sails" City of Paramount, CA

"Tsunami" City of Cerritos, CA

sorry that this isn't a profound critical post- I just saw your sketchup drawings on your blog- This (http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6170/2044/1600/Pharaoh%27s%20Dream%20Laserpath.jpg) is such a beautiful drawing- please can you post a step-by-step showing how you go from SketchUp to reality for reference on the site- I have used a similar technique for architectural models but your sculptures are much more interesting..

OK, here's my critical input:
perhaps you could annotate your photographs to show us what's going as far as process goes. If these sculptures are based on strong 'inspiration' by clients or design teams that obviously has different implications from the situation where you are working free of those considerations.

SO.. what is the story behind these sculptures?

?eter- not entirely clear on your request (but thanks for the positive feedback). I'm currently in the process of outlining my method of tranforming a computer-generated design into a real-world one---the pic you linked to is part of that outline. That particular image is pure Sketch-Up output in .jpg form. The actual laser pattern is also straight from SU, but in .dxf.

All the sculptures I so far posted that include siting info--- such as the "Tsunami" piece--- are works commissioned through formal competitions staged by the respective client cities. As such, they are indeed the product of much external input, rather than purely expressions of my own solo creative ideas. I've actually found it easier to work within constraints imposed by site, budget, expectation, politics, etc. than to be truly free to make whatever the hell I want. That may be why I'm at a creative impasse at this point; I don't have any external motivation. I'll try to think of ways to better answer your questions.

Part of my desired outcome of posting here is to hone my work to better suit the needs of urban designers and architects. Do you feel as though my work would be well-suited to inclusion in your designs, and, if not, what could I do to change that?

Ever considered making loudspeaker enclosures? One off's / small batches? limited editions?

A lot of theory, maths, calculations, materials knowledge, art, testing, trial & error... I think you could get hooked ... trouble is getting unhooked

Like your Blog btw.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65061&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

You could try designing appliances or furniture as sculptures, instead of what they are normally. E.g. - why does a TV have to be rectangular? Sure, it needs a rectangular screen on/in it, but why not house it in something more interesting?

just a thought

Congratulations for your work!
This is a disgrassion from your work, but when I saw the "cutout" steel sheet, i was remembered of these patterns done by creasing paper:

http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1221

Do anything locally? Just wondering if I've seen any of your work in FC or around Old Town...Looks like a similar sculpture here in lincoln at energy square. Andrew Carson. Very similar to your second post. It is kinetic and moves or at least used to...

I'd recommend reading about installations and Vito Acconci. His work often blurs the boundaries between sculpture and architecture. It draws upon the interactive and inquisitive nature of people. www.acconci.com (http://www.acconci.com). Unfortunately, his site is down at the moment.

tr

These links may be a little more inspiring

Loudspeaker Links

http://fullrangedriver.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=52

http://fullrangedriver.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=39

http://fullrangedriver.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=3

Thanks everyone for your feeedback.

trogers- nope, I don't have any work in nearby collections. Not exactly sure why, but art budgets around here aren't necessarily up to snuff. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more Acconci stuff. Anxious to see the re-imagined website.

ReD-wow, the forms inside some of those enclosures are beautiful- too bad they get hidden from view! I'm a bit intimidated by the need for at least some knowledge of acoustics to undertake designing such things. Probably best left to those with some training. But inspirational nonetheless.

BruceWalker- I've dabbled a bit in furniture design, having close ties to the company that makes all the chairs and artwork for Chipotle Mexican Grills (it's owned by my friend and fellow sculptor Bruce Gueswel). It would be cool to push the boundaries on some of the staid designs we see in every day objects like tvs. The wheels are beginning to turn (can you hear the squeeking, smell the smoke?)

pimocordara- thanks! Yeah, the patterns developed can be really cool. Check this out:
http://www.rinusroelofs.nl/pr-spidron/spidron-00.html

ReD-wow, the forms inside some of those enclosures are beautiful- too bad they get hidden from view! I'm a bit intimidated by the need for at least some knowledge of acoustics to undertake designing such things. Probably best left to those with some training. But inspirational nonetheless

Agree can be intimidating but Could be fairly simple to start off with & you apply basic rules (All links are to self taught amateurs)

And who says the shapes have to be hidden?
OK Fair enough as photos do not show the acoustic liner & filler/ packing ..but that can depend on the type of enclosure .. I think the curved one above didn't have it & anyway how its handled can be the design feature
so don't dismiss it out of hand especially as you are already equipped & have the skills.

That is an interesting site you linked to empty - thanks

To 'paraphrase' you, Emptyful, I'd say I'm not attracted by the results of your work itself (the shapes, forms, vocabulary, symbolism?, etc. though I respect it) but your approach and process is AMAZINGly interesting!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Your blog is very nice, bravo!!! It must be very fun to have a workshop like yours! :D

Welcome to the forum, Emptyful!
:clap:

That is an interesting site you linked to empty - thanks

That's an understatement there Greg

The stuff on DaVinci Dome is exceptional as well as exponential as well as extraordinary

Wish I had seen this when I was a Student

Amazing where threads take us

Years ago I discovered a book "Mathematical Models" by Cundy & Rollett 1961

All sorts of stuff in it but I have to admit the maths are over my head these days Example here is a bit squeezed because of file size proportion but I hope you can see the method

Thanks again for the all the feedback. ReD, this one knocked me out and proved your point:
http://fullrangedriver.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=toprated&cat=-4&pos=5

I got to know Rinus Roelofs' work through his postings on the Rhino newsgroup, and I've been shocked at his ability to eek beauty from pure mathematics. It's a pleasure to introduce you all to his stuff.

ryo- thank you for the honest critique, I respect your candor. Can you pinpoint what it is that you find in need of improvement in my sculpture? I hope I don't sound defensive--- I am genuinely interested in pushing myself to explore.