Spiral Dome: Sculptures in Paper and Steel by Thomas Parker Williams - SOLD OUT!

Spiral Dome was inspired by James Turrell's Skyspaces, enclosed chambers with apertures for viewing the sky. The Proposed Steel Sculpture functions similarly, but because the opening results from a spiral, the Dome will also capture direct solar rays as the sun moves across the sky. A drawing tracks two possible solar paths when the Dome is oriented to the south and sited at the stated latitude and longitude. With the sun low in the sky at the Winter Solstice, its path would be viewed near the top of the Dome. At the Summer Solstice, the sun's path progresses on the floor of the structure. Many sun-and-shadow patterns will be created as solar rays are projected and reflected inside the Spiral Dome throughout the year. The Spiral Dome movable paper sculpture is a movable book made of 145 unique cut paper parts bound with black Tyvek. Mounted on a six-part folding base, the book fits into a storage box. The 145 unique parts include 19 ribs, 18 double hinge sets and 108 exterior panels that form 18 sections. The starting rib is permanently fixed to the base. The 18 sections increment in height & dimension by a factor of 1.014 for each successive section. The last section differs in scale from the first by a factor of 1.2666, or 1.014 to the 17th power. To facilitate display, ribs 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 & 19 contain magnets that connect with steel contact points on the base. The Spiral Dome Movable Paper Sculpture was designed by the artist using CAD software, and cut out and assembled by hand. While working on the Paper Sculpture I realized it could function as a model for a permanent installation, which I call the Proposed Steel Sculpture. All elements in both sculptures – ribs, hinges or braces, and panels – increment by the same scale factor, as shown in the drawings an accompanying book. Covers of the storage box and book are letterpress printed from polymer plates. Click here to see a video of this book in action.