Love’s Seat
Love’s Seat is a parametrically designed public art installation composed of 32 discrete, variable bent rod components. The 10-foot long lenticular display bench was developed as an interconnected bent rod chain with a single division at its midpoint for post-fabrication transport and installation.
The bench’s algorithmic geometry and patterning is based upon the concept of transverse, horizontal motion recognized in seismology as a love wave. Waves are emulated in the project through a sequence of unique; equally spaced interlaced rod segments (ranging from 16.7 to 23.45 feet in length) that are arrayed to replicate a shifting wave effect. Each of the 32 varied rods is linked to three of its neighbors (one to its right, and two rods to its left in front view). Local metal fabricators provided production support for the project using CNC rod bending machines with handcrafted welding and fabrication. Workflows were therefore developed to support a hybrid (and compatible) computational and handcrafted process. Multi-platform models were used as a flexible and purely ‘post-orthographic’ tool set in designing, manufacturing and assembling the project through motion capture simulations as an alternative to conventional rod bending fabrication methods.
Love’s Seat is part of the Optics of Memory Project public art series, a multi-media public art series in which art, architecture and interactive technology come together to enhance public, social interaction in the city of Akron.
Design Team:
Diane Davis-Sikora (Lead Designer + OOM Co-organizer)
Jon Penvose (Design Collaborator)
Kasumi (Video Artist/Designer + OOM Co-organizer)
United Metal Fabricators Inc, Maple Heights Ohio
SponsorsThe Optics of Memory project is made possible by the generous support of: the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Arts Challenge, GAR Foundation, Sandra L. and Dennis B. Haslinger Family Foundation, Downtown Akron Partnership, Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, and Curated Storefront, Akron Public Library, Akron Art Museum, and private donations.
