TRANSITIONS
RUNNER
CONCEPT
Purchase RUNNER Poster
Making his way to the finish line, on approach to the ARCH from behind, is the lone RUNNER.
As the miles melt away in the summer heat the count down to a glorious finish is realizied. A Triathlete's final yards are lined by photographers, coaches, friends, fans and family.
The RUNNER, made of Stainless Steel and Cement, approach the ARCH from behind marking the final moments of the Triathlon race journey. The symbol of the lone RUNNER marks the singularity of personal achievement within each Triathlete upon aproach of the finish line. Summarizing the Journey of the race which starts within a group but ends with the self.
Measurements: (3’H x 2’W x 2”D)
3 feet height by 2 width by 2 inch depth
Materials: Stainless Steel, Cement
The Stainless steel outer frame symbolizes the effot and the transformation in becoming an iron man while the inner cement area parallels the strength of perserverence and the will to train, practice and finish a Triathlon race.
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WELDING
FINISHING
TEMPLATE
REVISION
MAQUETTE
DRAWING
Runners Drawing
Maquette Design
Redesign
Template Design
Welding and Filling Concrete
Final Monument Installation
STAGES
DRAWING
I consider Drawing to be the most important step in evolving an idea into material form. The seemingly simple act of envisioning an idea through a combination of strokes of graphite on paper contains the fundamental proof that an idea can exist. In the development of the RUNNER like the CYCLISTS, having photographic reference of real Triathletes running provided a visual shortcut to describing the motion of RUNNERS on paper. With all the triathlon magazines I had laying around the house.. I had all the photo reference I needed to sketch out a group of RUNNERS. The following are drawings of two groups of cyclist.
From the onset this project, I wanted to be as inclusive as Triathlons are to the individuals that participate in Multi-sport. I illustrated the passion for competition through a variety of Athletes of both genders, including the para-triathletes of Triathlon.
I envisioned two architectural planes illustrating the running discipline on one plane and the cycling disciplines on the other. Between these frames would provide a symbolic gateway to the Triathlon finish line, while framing the swimmers in unique design. Here my initial drawings for the RUNNERS would be designed and redesiged onto the plane until the desired look is realized.
MAQUETTE
The next step was developing a maquette of my idea. This maquette would be fully materialized version, sculpted to reflect the intended composition, arrangement of figures and dimensions of structures. This sculpted maquette becomes the representation of my concept, allowing me to understand what the projected cost and build time for the final monumental version. Perforated steel has now made its way into my design.
Pictured below is the Maquette for the RUNNERS plane. Made of cut wooden dowels painted silver, aluminum perforated sheet metal, staples, glue, and cut foam board. The RUNNERS were cut out of the perforated sheet metal and foam board to create both the negative and positive silhouette forms.
REVISIONS
These Drawing studies of RUNNERS proved to be a exercise in design layout within a framework of time and budgetary constraints. Each Graphical Drawing illustrates the variety of Panel ideas in which I imagined fabricating out of steel
Combining all RUNNERS onto one plane proved to be challenging in terms of design aesthetics yet after a few trial designs I narrowed it down to these panoramic designs. I would continue to revise this design until I am able to meet a cost effective and time effective design.
Through the various stages of redesign, I took the design step further by pushing the boundaries of my planar format by adding geometric lines that would function as both structural support in terms of strength and as a directional design element. For the Monumental sculpture, Steel is my choice of material.
As my final redesign, I decided to minimize the overall RUNNERS design down from a group of RUNNERS to just a lone RUNNER. Approaching the ARCH from behind, the lone RUNNER seemingly runs into the finish line of the ARCH.
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TEMPLATE
Now that the Drawings, Maquettes and Redesigns have illustrated my intent, I am now comfortable with moving into the Monument size fabrication process.
I start by creating a Monument scale Template. I will use this Template as a guide for bending Stainless Steel flat bar into the silhouette shape of the RUNNER. This allows for consistency in the RUNNER's design.
Stainless Steel wire mesh, which form in inner structural layer of the RUNNER, is also cut to fit within the design Template.
FILLING
The Inner portion of the CYCLISTS Stainless Steel structure will be filled with cement. Cement is not only cost effective, it is strong, easy to work with, and perfect for the outdoors.
The Template for the CYCLISTS has yet another use. This time the Template will be used in conjunction with the Steel frame to form a secure backing to allow for the pouring of wet cement into the frame.
By cutting foam board to the specifications of the Template frame then attaching the Steel Frame by way of Blue Tape, I am able to create a sealed basin in the form of the CYCLIST design. This allows me to pour wet cement into the frame, in and between the Steel Wire Mesh up to the top until the entire frame is filled.
Covering the cemented frame with plastic bags and continually wetting the cement during the curing phase adds additional strength to the CYCLISTS form.
WELDING
The Process of Fabrication and Welding is tedious and very involved. It begins by Taking the raw materials of Stainless Steel Flat Rods and Mesh Wire, cutting the each metal to a desired shape and length, bending by way of clamping and hammering, tweaking each bend to meet the guidlines of the Template, then welding each piece together to make up the full RUNNER monument.
We started by following the outline of the Template until the silhouette frame was complete, then placing the cut mesh wire form within the frame of the design and Welding it in place.
Reinforcement Stainless Steel Rods were later welded through out the inner frame for added strength and rigidity. The last stage of Welding involved the creation of a Steel Framed Base connected by two hollow Stainless Steel one inch square Rods welded to underside of the RUNNER's feet.
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FINISHING
The finishing of the lone RUNNER, includes a variety of steps. First was to design and implement a way for the RUNNER to stand upright.
I design a basic Steel Frame Base, using cut rebar attached via welding. Next, using foam board I design and cut a rectuangular base frame within the Stee Frame Base for additional cement support. This foam board base is designed as a basin to catch and hold wet cement in place until it is dried.
The process of covering the cement base with plastic bags and continually wetting the cement during the curing phase is used here again for additional strength.
Once the cement is dried, it is then coated with a weatherproof sealant. I perform 3 coats of the sealant to securely seal the form and to add additional protection from the elements.
INSTALLING
Installing the lone RUNNER and the other elements of Transitions through Triathlon at the Riverside Park South location was met with traffic and rain. Due to these challenges the installation was carried over into a second day. The Base Frame went into the ground first, firmly attached to the site with bolts and spot welds. Next the Arch was installed, using a hoist, rope, scafolding and spot welding.
Then on the following day, the RUNNER along with the cast of SWIMMERS, CYCLISTS and VICTORY were spot welded to the Base Frame. Finally the day of completion has come. The last weld was met with a small applause by myself and the installation crew.
