I’ve had the intention for many years now to make a helicopter sculpture.
It wasn’t until finding the reciprocating mechanism from a large scroll saw that I actually found the inspiration to attempt it. Some model airplane propellors at a flea market sealed the deal. The little pilot is made from a garlic press and part of the coolant system from a refrigerator.
Every element was found — scrap yards, second-hand stores, dumpsters — then cleaned, stripped, sorted and rebuilt. Found aluminum is TIG-welded and sanded seamless; nothing is cast. The electronics are salvaged from consumer devices, repaired and rewired so the piece does something when you touch it.
Materials
Everything in this piece had a previous life. Nemo’s own inventory, in his words.
Vacuum cleaner attachment, street sign mount, model plane propellors, garlic press, refrigerator parts, sliding door handles, radio equipment case, scroll saw mechanism, lamp globe, motors, LEDs, timer.
