Assembling the parts was quite a challenge. They only touch at the
outer joints, and narrowly pass by each other at various angles in the
interior. This computer-generated image might convey the structure more
clearly, as each
X is a
slightly different shade of blue:
The name
Compass Points alludes
both to the points of the geometer's tool which are echoed in the
shapes of wood and to the
X
of cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West. But the cardinal
directions of this sculpture's compass points radiate all about the
three-dimensional world; they are the 3-fold and 5-fold symmetry axes
of an icosahedron.
Above is a three-inch model made of nylon by selective laser
sintering. It started out white, but I dyed it a peach color akin
to the wood. I have also made a larger wooden version of this
design, described
here and an
aluminum version
described
here.
