The 12th Key

The 12th Key is a 40 foot sculpture that will be positioned at between 4.30 and center of the center of the event. The main base is a raw stripped 40 foot tree trunk, essentially a telegraph pole. 2 cross beams are connected by a universal joint 15 feet off the ground. These are at a 90 degree right angles from each other and each of these extends 14 feet out from the main base; the total width is 19 feet. The cross beams all are supported by steel guy wire guides connecting them to the centre pole. The tree trunk width is 18 inches at the bottom and tapers to the top. Once the structure is completed, and the integrity of it tested, all of the electrical wiring will be installed, and then a 1’ Rope will be partially wound around the base and crossbeams. The rope will then be covered in paraffin wax.

Once the structure is completed, and the integrity of it tested, all of the electrical wiring will be installed, and then a 1’ Rope will be partially wound around the base and crossbeams.. The rope will then be covered in a paraffin wax.

Engineering

The idea of a single pole will coming up out of the ground is essential to the piece. The hard-core engineering remains but is fairly simple. Several options are being discussed for securing this piece on the earth. This operation is similar to planting a utility pole in the ground, and this problem has been well studied for many years as there are 88 million utility poles located in the United States
alone.

• Option 1 | Dig a 3-4 foot hole for the main pole with an auger. Drop main
  pole in with a crane and level the pole by backfilling with earth.
• Option 2 | Create a steel understructure similar to Colossus. An additional cross created out of square steel tubing secured to the playa with rebar. This understructure would then be buried less than 1 foot under the earth for aesthetics and safety.
• Option 3 | Use guy wires to secure the structure.
• Option 4 | Place additional wooden beams on the surface of the ground.
• Option 5 | Some combination of the above.

Electronics

4 monitors are mounted at the end of each arm. These display continual loops of an eyeball, quizzically and nervously looking down at you.

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