I just keep getting awesome pics from people at the conference via email. So I’m just going to keep on posting them. This one is from my friend Jessica’s project at the conference, which was for everyone to build a geodesic dome. Mine was made from pipe cleaners and leaned (or sloped) dramatically to one side. In fact, it wasn’t really a dome, instead resembling more of a half dome shape, like an igloo. Of course Ben made something amazing… I have never been that good at constructing 3-D objects on the fly. Max made quite a few of my 3-D assignments in college. The best of which was the bridge made out of popsicle sticks.
More on Jessica’s project below, for anyone interested.
Supine Dome: a reenactment early geodesic dome experiments
First a brief presentation on the history of geodesic domes as the structure relates to institutionalized art instruction & the rise & fall of mid century optimism.
Information will be distrbuted on the first failed dome experiments of Buckminster Fuller at Black Mountain College, the dome fever which swept art & architecture departments, its implementation in the commune & back to earth movements, & subsequent abandonment as domes were found to be impractical & problematic. The dome is a pertinent metaphor & instance of community endeavors: provisional, utopian, & beautiful.
Secondly participants will be asked to perform a historical reenactment of Buckminster Fuller’s initial experiments with geodesic domes. “Bucky” came to Black Mountain in 1948. Shortly after arriving Fuller enlisted the help of those present to create a first large version of a geodesic structure which was to be built of non-rigid metal struts from venetian blinds. In spite of the help of many students the 48 foot dome would not stand up, & it was nicknamed the “Supine Dome”. Fuller wrote:
“Buildings are being built as fortresses, historically, really, the heavier, bigger the better. You cannot make many experiments with big stone blocks, they’re going to kill you…. So I told them I want to build a building that they’re not afraid at having it collapse because it’s so light it can’t hurt anybody, it’s like confetti.”
Then & now we are infused with a sense of expectation & potential about the necessity for community involvement and cohesive effective societal structures. In contrast the impetus for our call for social change has drastically changed since modernism’s hay day; today we are moved not so much by the promise of technology but by the threat of technological determinism. In our reanactment each individual is responsible for a portion of the structure but must interact and cooperate with fellow participants to construct the dome. Our supine dome will be built in less time and will be smaller than the one attempted in 1948. It will be unstable, & likely crooked, but it will stand.
Daily | 
October 31, 2007 8:37 pm | 
Comments (2) 
