ArtMöbius Revisited

As you know I always try to make innovative videos where I show new ideas and projects with soda cans – not this time. Still it will be some DIY project with soda cans but I would like to revisit a project that was presented years ago on a YouTube channel called “ArtMöbius” (Original).

The project is about to make a three dimensional spherical object out of two dimensional flattened soda can sheets. However we are going to deviate from the original in that the ink from the soda cans is removed to have the shiny side outside. The object is therefore even more attractive, in addition we will make a concrete stand to present it better.

The following items are needed to complete this project:

• 6 x 0.5L soda cans: The ink of three soda cans is removed according to the following instructable: Link. Then the soda cans are all flattened according to this instructable: Link. From the obtained soda can sheets you cut squares (10 cm x 10 cm). These squares are then folded to form the spherical object.
• Cardboard Circle (10 cm in diameter): The edges are reinforced with acrylic glue so that the circle can be used various times.
• Cardboard Square (10 cm side length)
• Ruler
• Embossing tools/stylus or an old pen without ink works as well
• Concrete and Sand
• Soda can
• Alligator clip
• Grill stick
• Shrink tubing

The process to form this spherical object starts with two aluminum squares (see pictures). Both squares are scored and then folded to an inside piece (matt) and an outside piece (aluminum square where the ink was removed). Both pieces are then combined to form a unit. Six units are then combined to form the spherical object. The dimension of 10 cm side length was chosen as with this size two squares can be cut out of one 0.5L soda can.

The inside pieces are made from squares where the ink was not removed.

Mark the diagonals on the reverse side of such a soda can square. Make the cardboard circle touch two diagonals. Then press down the embossing stylus and move it along the cardboard circle to score the aluminum.

Thereafter turn the square so the matt side is facing against you. Creases are done by hand now. The aluminum will immediately go into the right position due the strong scoring.

The outside pieces are made from squares where the ink was removed. Mark the center on all four sides on the matt side of the aluminum square.

Take the cardboard circle and line it up so that the circle connect two center marks. Press down the cardboard circle – go around the cardboard circle with the embossing pen and score the aluminum foil. It is not required to have an embossing tool. It also can be done with an old pen.

Repeat this scoring step for all four sides. Score it quite strongly. Then return to the shiny side of the aluminum square and make the creases by hand.

Combine two pieces to obtain one unit. Place the outside piece on top of an inside piece and press the outside piece down until it touches the inside piece. Fold the corners over so that they line up with the edges. Because of the aluminum, the structure will not unfold. Repeat this step until you have 6 units.

Now if you look at the picture, you see that the unit has pockets and flaps. Put the flap of one unit into the pocket of another unit and shift it over until the spherical object is completed.

Reduce a soda can (0.5L) to half of its size. Punch a hole in the bottom part. Cover a grill stick piece (around 10 cm) with some heat shrink tubing. Use a cigarette lighter to shrink the tubing. Put the stick into the hole of the bottom part and fix it with a glue gun.

Mix concrete with sand (1:3) in a plastic bag and then fill the soda can to the top. Let harden the concrete overnight. Then remove the soda can. As the concrete is not completely hardened yet, one can smooth en the surface of the concrete with some piece of metal (pliers) or sanding paper. Take out the grill stick and shorten the shrink tubing.

Remove the plastic part of an alligator clip and glue the clip to a grill stick. One end of the grill stick is then put into the concrete stand. The end with the alligator clip is used to attach the spherical object.

The sculpture can be best placed in the garden or on the balcony, because wind and weather can not harm the aluminum - have fun.