Custom Made Mobile for the Movie “The Upside”

Custom designed / custom made mobile sculpture for the movie The Upside, in which it will be featured as part of the storyline (see the trailer). The movie, directed by Neil Burger and starring Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman, is scheduled to be released on January 11 2019.

Photo of Custom Moving Mobile Sculpture Movie

The design was inspired by this mobile (is it a bird?) that I previously made (also one of my favorites):

custom hanging mobiles kinetic sculptures art

Variations from the Design Process:

Image of Art Mobile Sculpture

Three “wings” as shown in this 3D fly around animation:

Additional Variations from the Design Process:

Image of Mobile Art

Image of Mobile Sculpture Art

Image of Modern Art Mobile

Image of Hanging Mobile

Image of Hanging Sculpture

Image of Ceiling Sculpture

Image of Suspended Sculpture

Image of Suspended Sculpture

Image of Mid-Century Modern Sculpture Hanging Mobile

Image of Fan Blade Sculpture Mobile

Image of Wing Sculpture Mobile

Image of Mid-Century Modern Hanging Sculpture Mobile

– See photos of the mobile sculpture in the movie –

Photos of Mobiles at the Mobile Show in Durham NC – Cyber Monday Sale

Photos by Carin Walsh of our 3D Printed Mobiles at The Mobile Show in Durham NC earlier this month:

Photo of Art Mobiles for Sale

Photo of Art Mobiles for Sale

Photo of Art Mobiles for Sale

Photo of Art Mobiles for Sale

The 3D printing company we use (Shapeways) has a cyber monday sale today (Nov 28 2016): Free shipping + 25% off your order with code SMALLBIZMONDAY via our shop.

Proposals for a Large Suspended Custom Sculpture (Mobile) for an Atrium at a Children’s Hospital

Proposals for a large suspended custom sculpture (mobile) for an atrium at a children’s hospital. The color combinations are based on the interior colors as well as the colors within the logo of the children’s hospital. The overall design concept for the building is derived from nature to include water, forest and sky, blending the exterior and interior experience together, which is also reflected in several of these design proposals.

Dimensions: approx 30ft x 20ft x 10ft (9m x 6m x 3m)
Materials: metal (aluminum) and paint (powder coating)
Weight: approx 150lbs (70kg)

Image of Custom Hanging Sculpture

Calder style / Calder inspired Mobile:

Image of Large Calder Mobile

Butterfly Mobile:

Image of Atrium Sculpture Butterfly

River – Bridge – Trees – Hospital – Sun – Mobile:

Image of River Water Tree Leaves Sun Hanging Sculpture

Bird Mobile:

Image of Large Bird Sculpture

Image of Hanging Sculpture Mobile

Image of Suspended Sculpture

Image of Hanging Sculpture Artist

Image of Suspended Artwork Mobile

Image of Suspended Art Installation

An animation of the various designs to illustrate their 3-dimensionality:

Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing – New Book by Mathematical Artist Henry Segerman

In 2013, I collaborated with Henry Segerman to create a first of its kind collection of 3D Printed Mobiles. Outside of being Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Oklahoma State University, Henry has since established himself as one of the leading figures in the new world of math and 3D printing. This month he has a new book out titled Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing in which he takes readers on a fascinating tour of two-, three-, and four-dimensional mathematics, exploring Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, symmetry, knots, tilings, and soap films.

Image of 3D Print Art Sculpture Mobiles

The book includes more than 100 color photographs of 3D printed models, and has a sister website that features virtual three-dimensional versions of the models for readers to explore.

Read the review on Wired “Can’t Imagine Shapes in 4 Dimensions? Just Print Them Out” and also take a look at Henry’s amazing 3D Printed Mathematical Art.

Balance – Suspension Points and the Centers of Mass in Abstract Mobile Sculptures

A custom designed mobile for a private residence in Montana in progress:

Photo of Mobile Artist Sculpture

For an element (shape) to be able to balance, the suspension point needs to be above the center of mass. In addition to this requirement, when the center of mass is lower (farther away from the suspension point), the balance will be more stable. Vice versa, when the center of mass is higher (closer to the suspension point), the balance will be more fragile (the element is more likely to overturn):

Image of Abstract Sculpture Balance

Obviously within a mobile, an element might have the weight of several elements that are in the lower part of the mobile attached to it, which lowers the center of of mass. A good example of this can be seen in a large site-specific mobile I was working on for a three story light shaft in Chicago last year:

Photo of Large Abstract Sculpture Balance

In some cases, it might be necessary to raise the suspension point with the help of an extension:

Photo of Large Art Sculpture Balance

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