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| New Works: "Roller Birdie" and her offspring "lil Ball Peep" (Please check our site again for more upcoming works.) |
| Click on photos throughout this site for a larger picture. Be sure to check out the "VIDEOS" page to see all the sculptures in action. |
| "Roller Birdie" A New Kinetic Metal Sculpture by John M. Schwab |
The introduction of "Roller Birdie" adds a uniquely specialized Rolling Ball Sculpture to this
birdie) driven this time by THREE of his Little Men, employing them to work with a single moving
steel ball that energizes the work.
This is a large (over 3 1/2 feet tall), more complex sculpture, employing a motorized ball lift
mechanism that maintains motion once started. Lift of the ball takes approx. 28 seconds, while
the descent occurs in about 17 seconds where the process begins once again. While the rolling
ball is really "in charge", one little man "operates" the lift of the ball, one concentrates on
"beak control", while the third is in charge of feet actuation.. Additionally, Roller Birdie's eyes,
tail, and wing movements are also energized by the rolling ball. Lots of details and parts including
the "Roller Birdie" leg band.
SIZE of SCULPTURE: 43" High X 45" Wide (w/tail "feathers"- body is 35" Wide) X 15" Deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
birdie) driven this time by THREE of his Little Men, employing them to work with a single moving
steel ball that energizes the work.
This is a large (over 3 1/2 feet tall), more complex sculpture, employing a motorized ball lift
mechanism that maintains motion once started. Lift of the ball takes approx. 28 seconds, while
the descent occurs in about 17 seconds where the process begins once again. While the rolling
ball is really "in charge", one little man "operates" the lift of the ball, one concentrates on
"beak control", while the third is in charge of feet actuation.. Additionally, Roller Birdie's eyes,
tail, and wing movements are also energized by the rolling ball. Lots of details and parts including
the "Roller Birdie" leg band.
SIZE of SCULPTURE: 43" High X 45" Wide (w/tail "feathers"- body is 35" Wide) X 15" Deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
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| NOTE: NOT an outdoor sculpture! Shown here for photo purpose ONLY! |
NOTE: NOT an outdoor
sculpture! Shown here
for photo purpose ONLY!
sculpture! Shown here
for photo purpose ONLY!
NOT an outdoor sculpture-Photo purpose only
 | |  |
| 'Lil Ball Peep (Roller Birdie's offspring) |
This "chick" is the recently hatched offspring of John's "Roller
Birdie" sculpture.
effort to create the motion that enables the rolling steel ball to
Continuing in the style and mechanization of "Roller Birdie", 'Lil Ball
energize Peep's various attributes. This sculpture is especially unique
in that it uses two rolling balls moving simultaneously along with a
spiraling ramp to elevate the balls. These mechanisms result in this
little bird being a bit more "active" than its parent. The Little Man
cranks the ball lift mechanism as Peep's eyes blink. As the balls find
Peep is again a rolling ball sculpture utilizing the "little Man's" their
way from beak to foot level, they cause wing, tail feathers, beak, and
feet movements. During their descent, as one ball is stopped in its
travel, the other ball re-initiates its motion. As with Roller Birdie,
once energized, Lil Ball Peep's motion and ball movements are
continuous without intervention from the observer.
Size of Sculpture: 33" High X 20" Wide including wings.
The plump little birdie body is about 17" across and deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
Birdie" sculpture.
effort to create the motion that enables the rolling steel ball to
Continuing in the style and mechanization of "Roller Birdie", 'Lil Ball
energize Peep's various attributes. This sculpture is especially unique
in that it uses two rolling balls moving simultaneously along with a
spiraling ramp to elevate the balls. These mechanisms result in this
little bird being a bit more "active" than its parent. The Little Man
cranks the ball lift mechanism as Peep's eyes blink. As the balls find
Peep is again a rolling ball sculpture utilizing the "little Man's" their
way from beak to foot level, they cause wing, tail feathers, beak, and
feet movements. During their descent, as one ball is stopped in its
travel, the other ball re-initiates its motion. As with Roller Birdie,
once energized, Lil Ball Peep's motion and ball movements are
continuous without intervention from the observer.
Size of Sculpture: 33" High X 20" Wide including wings.
The plump little birdie body is about 17" across and deep.
The Steel Ball is 1 inch in diameter.
| in the hatchery... |