The “Electron” 2010, is a cast bronze sculpture of approximately 5 bicycle inner tubes seamlessly connected end to end to form a large ring with a circumference of roughly 40 feet. It is then coiled into about 5 consecutive orbits in a way so that no two points intersect and has the appearance of floating effortlessly in its position. This form was inspired by the quantum path of an electron bound to a proton, endlessly whizzing, in orbit. A long time ago I rendered this shape out of light armature wire and was fascinated by its beauty and simplicity. It wasn’t until I came to the bicycle inner tube years later, where I found it lent itself to assuming this form quite easily. The form and familiarity of a bicycle inner tube is exploited to highlight a phenomenon difficult to observe or envision. The end results in a sculpture that appears light yet is heavy (161lbs.), is assumed hollow and inflated but is solid and static, and highlights the negative space while reducing the positive space it occupies.

For the construction of this work, a life-sized model was made using steel rings welded in concentric circles covered with rubber tubing, and bent into position. Once the shape was realized, a wax version was needed in order to cast the bronze. A mold was made of an inflated inner tube from which waxes were cast and bent, while still warm, into a rollercoaster like scaffold, built from the original model. Once the bronze was cast and assembled, a patina of ammonium sulphite was applied hot, which produced a beautiful deep black finish.