Home
About
Profile
Current Projects
Services
Multimedia
Links
Contact
Disclaimer

Mobius Web

The Mobius Web is a large scale wood and rope sculpture to be exhibited at the Burning Man event in Black Rock City, Nevada in 2008.

Conceptual Images

Mobius Web at night

Mobius Web in daytime

Concept:
The Mobius Web is an art structure that speaks to the childish imagination. It is the product of asking, "What can humanity do with a spider web?" As with much of our architecture, sculpture, and technology, the web is an extension and creative elaboration on what we view in nature.

The structure mimics the concept of the Möbius strip, named after German mathematician and co-discover August Ferdinand Möbius (1790-1868). Like a Möbius strip, the web has only one "side." This single "side" is representative of the oneness of all things, the oneness of humanity and nature, even if humanity and nature "appear" as if they are two separate sides of a coin. Likewise any polarity can be related to this sense of oneness: male/female, life/death, good/evil, etc. When a climber climbs the structure they are choosing a side, and yet they are simultaneously on the side opposite them. Thus all sides of polarity are in fact one.

Construction Specifics:
The structure is a torus 133' in diameter from outer edge to outer edge. It consists of twenty ring supports that form the torus. Each ring support will be constructed of wood, secured in place with several 3-5' long rebar stakes extending into the ground at an angle perpendicular to the support (relative to the center of the greater structure). Guide wires may be attached for extra support if needed. Each ring support will be connected to its neighbor by support beams overhead as well as by the web itself. The rings and support beams are all designed to be climbable, so the entire structure will be open to all participants for climbing and exploring.

The web will be constructed of natural fiber robe, strong enough to hold a single person. The web pattern itself will allow for multiple participants to climb in a single area at once. White rope will be preferred, but brown rope may be an option. The web will be lit at night by an array of colored lights situated around and inside of the web which may be changed around throughout the week of exhibition. The lights will be operated by a central biodiesal generator. Further emergency marker lights, battery-powered stake lights, will be placed around the structure for safety.

Production:
The structure is currently in the redesign and funding stages. The structure was originally metal with nylon rope, but was changed to wood and clean burning rope for aesthetic reasons. Furthermore, corporate involvement has now been totally eradicated from any funding or design plans. To that extent, individual independent funding and assistance with design is greatly appreciated and will be the backbone of the completion and presentation of this project.

For creation of the structure, materials will be purchased several weeks in advance and will require storage in a safe location (possibly requiring expenses for storage). Transportation will require a large rental or donated truck to be used for 10-14 days to get the materials to the playa and to return the vehicle. Furthermore, volunteers to haul the materials, and to help set up the structure on the playa will be needed.

In Conclusion:
This project is a labor of love. The singular intent of this project is to provide people with inspiration and enjoyment, the ability to reconnect with one's own imagination, and the opportunity to be a kid again. This project will not happen with Ora's efforts alone. To find out how you can help Contact Ora.

In the event that: 1) this project is a big hit at Burning Man in 2008 and 2) interest for similar specifically climable and burnable art grows, there is a possibility for such burnable web structures to return in successive years.