Right now, we're working on a variation of SemiSwing for an affordable housing facility in San Jose. We gave the client the choice of several color schemes that would coordinate the facility's decor and wall art, and here was their final verdict. Off to the powder coater it goes!
Prototypes
Here are more sneak peeks at the new line of mobiles we're creating. You'll be glad to know these prototypes are closer to the final product than the original cardboard cutouts.
Since these pieces won't be hand bent, it's taken some serious revising and fine-tuning to ensure our patterns are just right. If anything's off by even a millimeter, the balance gets thrown out of whack. But we think, after a few iterations, we've finally nailed it. On this design, at least...
Building a Better World (One Mobile at a Time)
We came across this lovely Venn diagram yesterday on the blog, Indexed. It's nice validation for the engineer-turned-artist guy around here.
Insert Mobile Here
See this image below? Now close your eyes and imagine a mobile instead of a big white box labeled "insert Mobile Here." That's what we've been doing lately. Stay tuned for our final design concepts.
Sneak Peek...
Ok, so this cardboard cutout probably isn't going to get anybody overly excited. But we're excited about it: It's a sneak preview into a little project that's well in the works around here. Before long, Ekko Workshop is launching a new line of mobiles, and this was one of our prototypes. Stay tuned for details!
Nola Motorsports
Here's a project that consumed our December.
This mobile was created for Nola Motorsports Park, a racetrack in New Orleans. A racetrack! That's a first for us! Interestingly enough, one of the racetrack owners actually studied fine art in college and has a special affinity for post-modern kinetic sculptures.
The mobile hangs 12-foot wide by 9-feet tall and will hang in their two-story gift shop.
A Year in Review
Our 2011 highlights:
- Reading Martha Stewart Living
- Spending lots and lots of time in Sand Springs, Oklahoma
- Visiting New York (oh, and installing in New Jersey)
- Marveling at Calder's masterpiece
- Shopping at Design Within Reach (and encouraging the five year old to keep her paws off everything)
Here's hoping for an equally excellent 2012!
A Merry Morning
Matt spent some spare moments during December deviating from the craft of mobile making to create this lovely coat rack, which he surprised his family with on Christmas morning. It's already been put to good use. (And monopolized by somebody who loves pink.)
While Supplies Last...
Don't forget to snatch yourself a tabletop mobile from Design Within Reach. Before this happens!
Thanks
We do so much custom work at Ekko Mobiles that each project varies tremendously. But we've noticed a commonality: every project needs small components. Swivels, screws, nuts, industrial-grade ball bearings, you get the idea.
So friends, family, and good health aside, this Thanksgiving, we're especially thankful for our local Ace Hardware. It's a quick three-block walk away, with a great supply of components, the friendliest staff ever, and a nice selection of gummy candies to keep us (well, Matt) well fueled.
And for the times the Ace doesn't have the rivet or flange or whatever obscure piece we need, we're grateful for www.McMaster-Carr.com. They carry 480,000 products, for heaven's sakes! Half a million little things, just waiting to be made into a kinetic sculpture! It's a mobile-maker's dream come true, and somehow, they never disappoint. (Except when we need a quick gummy worm fix.)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!