Chad Waples has created a temporary public art sculpture titled Cosmic Prism for a project commissioned by the Balloon Museum in honor of the annular eclipse on October 14. The sculpture will be on display October 6-15.
At the Balloon Museum’s S.T.E.A.M night on Thursday, October 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Chad will answer questions about the sculpture and discuss the science, engineering, and artistic choices involved in constructing Cosmic Prism.
“Cosmic Prism is not just an artwork; it’s a labor of love that’s been months in the making,” says Chad. “It blends various artistic practices to create a unique experience. The centerpiece is a geodesic dome made from 3D printing, involving over 1700 hours of meticulous work across four 3D printers. The design was constructed in Fusion 360 and comprises 320 glow-in-the-dark triangles adorned with confetti glitter plexiglass on the inside. A welded steel stand supports and stabilizes the artwork to ensure its stability and impact. A specially designed light fixture with two black lights for charging the filament and a multicolor changing bulb adds a captivating visual effect.”
For more information about the artistry and science behind Cosmic Prism, learn more about the project at the City of Albuquerque website or read this article in The Paper.
