A world class combination of art, engineering and brute strength made for a dramatic Thursday morning on the Chester as Vicco von Voss’ 1500 lb wooden sculpture was hoisted into the river for Chestertown’s RiverFest 2015.
The sculpture, sponsored by Washington College’s SANDBOX project and two private donors, was designed and created by local master wood craftsman and artist Vicco von Voss and Jacquie von Voss, with engineering assistance by Zane Carter and Ed Minch.
A huge crane lifted the tripodal structure from the field next to the College’s waterfront property into the calm river and was gently guided by powerboats to its mooring site in the river.
The sculpture is designed to semi-submerge its pontoons so that only the wood structure will be visible.
Discovering a pinhole in one the pontoons which could have caused a real problem if the sculpture remained in the river, von Voss and crew decided to move the art piece to the town dock where repairs could be made.
At press time, Zane Carter said that the sculpture would again be lifted into the river and taken to its mooring within an hour or two.
Von Voss spoke enthusiastically about the detour. “It was a great thing to find out the problems early on and we’ve made further adjustments that will let us control the floatation system in an easier way.
The sculpture is fitted with LED lights that will turn on at sunset and the bells you hear in the video are built into each of the three legs of the structure. RiverFest’s Saturday evening will glow.
After a few refittings and adjustments. it’s ready to go
Carol Brown says
What an interesting event and so well covered…thanks!
Jacqui and Vicco von voss says
We would like to give recognition to every one who volunteered to help create “sankalpa”. It was a true community collaboration and effort.
We give special thanks to :
RiverArts and Sandbox for supporting this project- especially Jodi Bortz, Alex Castro and
Zane Carter- who was a visionary spearhead and team leader.
John Spetrino of FK production for engineering, metal fabrication, and Floatation development
Samantha Hollomon – lighting design
Ed Minch -engineering and construction of solar lighting
The dedicated core crew:
Tom Sinnott, Tom Lentell, Bill Ghio, Ed Minch
Hunter Mumma, Chuck Engstrom
Support crew: Brian Toth, Micheal Jenson of Unity Landscaping, Pete Battcock, Austin Reed, Johnston Fortenbaum, Bill Ingersol, Paul Malley, Gary Moll
Washington college students, Ben Arminger
We truly enjoyed this creative process and the formation of new friendships.