ZENCUBE: SPACE/NOT SPACE. Backyard Meditative Cube

I did a cool art project in college in 1976.

The concept was to create a kinetic space in an open box, with no moving parts.

It fell apart around 1985.

I thought, "I need to do that again". So here we are. Finally. In another century.

It looks a bit complicated, but it really isn't.

Let's get started.

Subsequent pages give you the Step-By-Step.....

Starting at the top, then L to R:

• 7 or 8 3' long x 3/4" square cross section dowels for a 16" box. (6 or 7 1/2" dowels for a 12" box).
• Fine tooth saw.
• Orbital sander. Not shown. It's at my sister's.
• Wood glue.
• Corner clamp.
• Pneumatic brad nailer and 1-1/2" brads.
• Some duct tape. Always.
• 1 small stainless eye screw and 1 cup hook.
• Fishing leader line with the little swivel thing.
• ....and however you want to finish it. I used leftover white paint.

Here's a good how-it’s-put-together overview in video format.

Using the 3/4" square dowels and the corner clamp, create a 16" square open box. I used a pneumatic brad nailer and exterior wood glue to hold everything together.

You might want to consider painting everything before you start nailing things.....I didn't, and it got a bit cramped in there.

• Start by inserting a sub-frame dowel about 1/3 the way across the side of the frame (about 4" to 6").
• Do another on the opposite side, placed 90 degrees to the first one.
• Then place a connector dowel between the above sub-frame dowels. There is only one place where the connector dowel will create a 90 degree angle with both sub-frame dowels.
• If you're apprehensive about this, slap on some duct tape to hold the pieces in place. Spin it a bit. If you like it, glue and nail it.
• Repeat the above on the other two pair of sides, but don't copy what you did on the first one. If you're a control freak, have a favorite beverage first and have someone else use the brad nailer.
• With every step of gluing and nailing, spin it around and go with what you think looks good. It will. Trust me.

• Following the rule that there is only one place where a 90 degree angle happens, place three short dowels (sub-connectors) to link between pairs of connector dowels- and yup, there is only one place where 90 degree angles will happen.
• Got it? Yeah, it's hard to explain, but it's sorta cool once you get it.

• Your choice. Stain? Poly? Paint? Up to you. I used white latex because that's what I found in the basement.
• The number of dowels in the box and my big hands make painting as the last step a bit problematic. Next time, I think I'll paint the dowels before assembly. Or maybe I'll try a paint sprayer.....

• Screw in a small eye screw at the top of one corner of the cube and place a cup hook at whatever you're hanging it from.
• Link the screws with the leader line.
• It will catch the breeze and gently spin around creating constantly changing rectangular forms at various depths within the box.

ZENCUBE. SPACE / NOT SPACE.