Steel is used to give life to one of nature’s
most delicate creatures.
Lepidodgera, a breathtaking steel butterfly with a wing span of 54’, is emerging from its chrysalis. With legs stretched down the abdomen and thorax of this expansive creature are 13’ above the playa floor. From tip of the proboscis to back of the abdomen the Lepidodgera extends for 20’.
A butterfly is not a static creature
The articulating wings stretch up to the sky and down to the desert floor. Propelled by the search for nectar the Lepidodgera is a kinetic piece that will float across the playa.
To the Lepidodgera species nectar is not taken from flowers, but the refuse of American culture. The inquisitive person will approach and may offer a paper cup, some cigarette butts, or an unwanted flyer to the creature. In the belly of the beast these items will become butterfly fuel in our gasifier - providing the energy to propel the creature forward. The proboscis, controlled by human visitors to the creature, extends from the head searching for more offerings from passers by.
In the night Lepidodgera is a warm and colorful oasis. The glowing stainless steel and colored glass of the compound eyes offer a new perch from which to view the desert. The wings are painted by light in glorious colors. Now, you step inside.
The creature is aware of your presence. Strange noises emanate from its underbelly. You are moving about through the broken chrysalis of the butterfly. Force sensors detect your presence and movement. Sounds are twisted and distorted in response to the patterns of your movement.
The wings become your canvas
Now, you find a strange metal object within the broken chrysalis. You pick it up to find that as you manipulate it the colors of the wings change in response. Your motion and the force of gravity interact to color this expansive canvas. But the pattern of control is difficult to decipher and the artist must focus to learn how to fully bend this new medium to their will.
The butterfly, breathing deeply through the spiracles in its glowing abdomen, is thankful for the human waste nectar it receives and releases a blast of fire high into the night sky.
Feat of structural engineering
The body of the creature and the wings are a feat of structural engineering. Steel becomes a delicate medium shaping dainty wings that are immense in size yet true to form and scale. Crane winches are used to control the motion of the wings. The steel supports for the head, thorax and abdomen are ingeniously crafted to preserve the ideal balance of strength and delicacy. The body and abdomen are made of sheet metal scraps plasma cut into abstract shapes. The spiracles were once stoplight covers. The wing covering, a delightfully gossamer material, is shimmery in the sun and catches the light by night as visitors to the creature control its ever changing colors.
Flame effects
The antennae, through their ambient flame effect, will light the way for Lepidodgera in the night. The antennae extend far in front and above the head of the creature. The tip of the antennae will be 15’ above the ground. Here, a propane fed flame will burn in the metal bulb forming the tip of the antennae. Steel pipe, which forms the structure of the antennae, will serve as a sheath for the smaller copper tubing that conveys the propane. A 1 lb (camping stove size) propane tank will supply the fuel. It will be securely strapped down to a metal plate welded in place at the base of the antennae.
The abdomen of the creature will blast fire into the night sky using a propane “poofer.” This “poofer” contains an electronically controlled solenoid valve that creates a “poof” of fire when triggered. This poof will emanate from a point 12’ above the playa floor at an angle just slightly off from vertical. This effect will be controlled by a button located in the interior of the chrysalis. The “poofer” will be fed by a 5 gallon propane tank. This tank will be strapped to structural support members of the body frame.