tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8369527.post112581138826906140..comments2023-09-22T02:55:23.209-05:00Comments on ART OR IDIOCY?: Kenneth SnelsonThe Artist Extraordinairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02290864849176199041noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8369527.post-29191885181736043982007-12-11T18:51:00.000-06:002007-12-11T18:51:00.000-06:00Discontinuous compression (not "discontinuous tens...Discontinuous compression (not "discontinuous tension") is the principle behind Snelson's sculptures.<BR/>The principle has other names: tensional integrity, tensegrity, floating compression.<BR/><BR/>Floating compression is a fundamental way of creating structure; it is indeed based on sound physical principles.<BR/><BR/>A bicycle wheel is an example of a floating compression structure: the spokes are at tension; the hub and rim have a "floating" relationship with each other. Bicycle wheels are very light and efficient at dealing with stresses.<BR/><BR/>The fact that a particular bicycle wheel fails is not a condemnation of the general design of those structures. A wheel's failure may be caused by a material problem or by stresses on the wheel that it was never designed to accommodate.<BR/><BR/>In a similar fashion, the collapse of the Virlane Tower is most likely unrelated to its design. I contacted the NOMA officials; they speculate that a cable near the base of the structure was struck by an object during the hurricane.<BR/><BR/>In any case, the Virlane Tower has been refurbished and was re-installed at the NOMA last fall. The refurbishment was completed by the Pinwheel Corporation of Seattle, WA; a company that has worked with Snelson on several of his recent sculptures.<BR/><BR/>--philFloatingBoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14035510632408663170noreply@blogger.com