Sewing Needle
©Stuart Williams 1993. All rights reserved.
Central California Coast (150 meters in length / 500 ft.)
PROJECT IN PLANNING
©Stuart Williams 1993. All rights reserved.
Central California Coast (150 meters in length / 500 ft.)
PROJECT IN PLANNING
The “Folded” Hills of Coastal California... “Stitched” Together over the Eons: “Sewing Needle” is a precisely engineered replica of a classic sewing needle, 150 meters in length (500 ft.) and 3 meters in diameter (10 ft.) at its widest section.
“This idea came to me during a trip to California’s central coast. I had just read a story in ‘The New Yorker’ about the geological history of the state, in which a geologist described how the ‘folded’ hills of coastal California had been ‘stitched’ together over the eons, as plate tectonic forces had repeatedly shoved the Pacific Plate up against the western edge of the North American Plate,” said Williams.
“This idea came to me during a trip to California’s central coast. I had just read a story in ‘The New Yorker’ about the geological history of the state, in which a geologist described how the ‘folded’ hills of coastal California had been ‘stitched’ together over the eons, as plate tectonic forces had repeatedly shoved the Pacific Plate up against the western edge of the North American Plate,” said Williams.
As though piercing a giant pin cushion, the Needle appears to spear the side of one of the folds in the fluid, undulating hills of California's coast range, and emerge from the other side. In fact, it is two separate cantilevered, triangulated aluminum trusses, acting as the skeletal support for a precisely formed, polished titanium skin. Each cantilever — one on either side of a fold in the hills — is in perfect alignment to create the illusion of a single needle piercing all the way through the hill.
This is envisioned as a temporary installation in place for 3 to 4 months.
Illustrations: ©Stuart WilliamsClick on any image for larger view.
This is envisioned as a temporary installation in place for 3 to 4 months.
Illustrations: ©Stuart Williams
A photo simulation of “Sewing Needle” temporarily installed along the central California coast, and appearing to pierce a fold in the hills as though it had been stuck into a giant pin cushion. Simulation of installed “Needle” ©Stuart Williams
VIDEO Simulation of “Sewing Needle” along the central California coast. ©Stuart Williams.
Photo Simulation of “Sewing Needle” along the central California coast. Simulation of installed “Needle” ©Stuart Williams
Artist’s sketch of “Sewing Needle” appearing to pierce the coast range of central California. ©Stuart Williams