One of the challenges with any outdoor sculpture is how to both place a piece aesthetically and how to secure it from the ravages of the elements. With Kinetic Sculpture these needs are amplified given the direct connection with wind. To that end we developed a secure outdoor installation system that relies on Earth Screws, a product designed for anchoring all kinds of building elements for both temporary and permanent installations. For outdoor installations we secure the base plate to a heavy underlying frame and then anchor that frame with 2 or 4 earth screws 24 to 36 inches in length. This has several advantages. A permanent cement base is not required for a secure installation and changing the location of a piece becomes much easier.
I would never suggest that any of my clients leave a sculpture outdoors during a hurricane, but I’ve done it myself, intentionally. When a hurricane blows a piece of sculpture apart that’s something I learn from. And by allowing that to happen a few times the sculpture that I make now is stronger and better. But this form of Earth Screw installation always stayed stable so I’ve learned to have a lot of confidence in this installation technique.
Watch the Steps
Here’s what it takes to get an outdoor installation completed.