I am a mechanical engineer, who wants to build things that change the world. My professional life included such projects as the Tesla roadster, Potenco pull cord generator, and Makani power high altitude wind energy. Now unemployed, I am making a series art from discarded street signs, and exploring collaborative efforts in art and engineering.
The mobius strip is such an effort.
The influence behind the strip developed about a trip to NYC. I wanted to create an interaction with the city that magnified the obscure, the small differences, and what most locals overlook on a daily basis. An obscure but notable feature of the NYC one way street sign is that it is printed on both sides and has a rectangular rather than truncated profile. Features which lend well to the unit properties of the completed mobius strip.
The strip itself has properties of singularity. It is a 3-dimensional shape with only one surface. Following the arrows around the surface will lead you around the entire perimeter of the piece twice and ending up where you began. (much like following the signs throughout the NYC grid).
The piece in its current context describes feelings of my life habits, being creative, and continuing to create things while being employed or unemployed (two "sides" of a singular surface). While reflecting on the absurdity of following social and cultural motivations to follow a path based on tradition rather than insight.
This piece was created with help from my friends Mitch Heinrich, and Robert Cerrato.
