Northfield Arts and Crafts: Ken Elliott
Tree
metal sculpture
3.5m tall x 2.5m wide
2021
The sculpture is an exploration of a series of curved lines and how
they can form another representation of the natural world: starting as
ink on paper, progressing and transforming into a three-dimensional
shape, using only metal strips.
A key theme is the twisting,
extending, spiral shape of the helix, growing up, expanding, and
reaching skyward, tipped with leaves breathing in energy from the sun
and renewing the air.
Made from aluminium with stainless steel
fastenings, the highly polished metal surface is shaped to reflect the
sky and, as the sun emerges, show an array of dazzling highlights.
A universal emblem of natural life, the image of a tree is all the
more meaningful during this period of lockdown, speaking of both
resilience and growth. Walks in small pockets of countryside have been a
cherished escape from confinement, senses sharpened further by quieter
urban surroundings and the time to appreciate nature.
You can visit Tree at its permanent home in the gardens of the Stirling Smith Muesuem.
360 degree image project
As a Scene Stirling digital commission project the sculpture has
been prepared, recorded and is presented below as a series of
interactive 360 spin animated images. The process of building and
assembling the equipment to enable this is also shown.
This part
of the project was funded by Creative Scotland and Stirling Council with
support from a partnership of cultural organisations across Stirling.
final spin images
Click on the images to load the 360 spin animations. Once they are loaded you can drag with your mouse to control the view.
click to spin | click to spin |
1: sunny day | 2: clear sky |
3: cloudy sky | 4: night time |
click to spin | click to spin |
some close up views of the structure
process insight, some prototype spin images
Click on the images to load the 360 spin animations. Once they are loaded you can drag with your mouse to control the view.
click to spin | click to spin | click to spin |
1: in the workshop | 2: first try outside | 3: in the final spot |
process insight, set up and placing of the sculpture
1: close up of the branches
2: parts ready for the outdoor assembly
3: ready for the test spins
4: close in view of the base
5: ready to capture a spin
6: finally resting for a while in the garden
process insight, sculpture build
1: parts ready for the indoor assembly
2: trunk build and branches and leaves at the ready
3: branches and leaves fitted
4: built and ready for the outside world
to see the full build, watch the YouTube video below
process insight, building the spin turntable
The spin turntable is the key component as its rotation enables a timed capture
of the seventy or so individual images, that once processed in software, make up an
interactive 360 degree image.
The turntable consists of a collection of
parts that were gathered from the workshop store and
incorporated together, along with some new electronic components that
control the speed of rotation.
The driving force comes from an
old 12 volt battery powered capstan salvaged at a boat jumble. This
turns a rubber tyred wheel that makes contact with a heavy steel disk,
upon which a wooden top plate and the subect are placed. All the parts are assemled onto a heavy wooden base made from
garden decking offcuts.
1: spin table parts ready for assembly
2: electronic speed controller assembly
3: assembled and ready for a test run
other links and information
Scene Stirling
to see other work from Ken visit www.northfieldartsandcrafts.co.uk