In addition
to the repeated basic cell, the sphere and the single vertical
column, Obelisk, inflatables shown in the 1973
thesis exhibit "Alternative experience with Form"
included "Mandala" essentially a clumsy tube with
gathering in the middle supporting a circular mirror. By looking
over and into the piece one saw oneself.
Later,
in an attempt to make a smooth torus, two annuli were seamed
together. The joining introduced a slight mismatch, resulting
in a circular shape with projection, an expected effect that
was the genesis for what later became a large body of inflatable
spirals.
In 1973 "spiral" was
an art buzz-word in part because Robert Smithson had recently
completed a magnificent "Spiral Jetty" in Salt Lake,Utah.
That summer, on Maine's Popham Beach at low tide watching the
sunrise, I set about making a huge spiral sand drawing. Doing
so made me see that I knew nothing about spirals so, after returning
to Ohio and converting the top floor and mezanine of the Weisheimer
Mill into studio space, began making various spiral inflatables
as a way to learn.
The first exhibitable pieces
were Potential and Blew Screw and
a somewhat wobbly version of an Archimedes Spiral.
These were followed by a a studio version of an Equi-angular
spiral.
1. Installation View Purdue
University. 1974. Sphere: Hearts: Cap of Sphere.
