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 unexpected 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. Obelisk: Herd. 1972.
Thesis exhibition, OSU, '73.

2. Mandala, 1973.
Polyethelene, tape, mirror.

3. The Mill.
780 King Avenue, Columbus. OH.

4. Sand Drawing, 1973.
Popham Beach, Maine.

5. Potential, 1974.
Inflated vinyl. c. 4'D.

6. Equi-angular Spiral, 1974.
Polyethelene. c. 8'x12'x3'.

7,8. Blew Screw, '73.
Vinyl. c. 8'x40'x8'.

provenance