LIFE

Sometimes life just slaps you right in the face. My physics partner and I have created this kinetic sculpture in an effort to represent this abstract phenomenon in an equally abstract artistic medium.

To recreate this artistic masterpiece, you will need:

-one head (fake or real, personal preference)

-one fairly small battery powered spinning motor (doesn't have to be any exact size, most smaller/medium sized motors should work. This one is powered by two AAA batteries)

-3 foot long wooden dowel

-batteries to power your motor

-wood plank, approximately same length as dowel (a little shorter than 3 feet is best)

-drill and large drill bit (to drill a hole approximately 3/4 inch in diameter)

-one small glove

-one switch

-cotton balls

-wood glue

-lots of super glue

-duct tape (fixes everything right?)

You will first have to prepare the plank upon which the face will be receiving perpetual slaps.

1) Using a hand saw, cut four 3 inch x (width of board) pieces of wood from one end of the plank. glue two of these underneath each end of the plank to create "legs" or stands to elevate the plank.

2) Between two of the plank legs at one end of the plank, use a drill and a drill bit to drill a 3/4" hole in the middle of the board.

3) On the bottom of the board (side with the legs attached), duct tape/secure the motor into the hole. You will need to duct tape the motor at first and then use large amounts of super glue to create a strong bond between the motor and the board.

4) Super glue the battery pack near to the motor on the underside of the board.

5) Duct tape a switch to the side of the board (or the top, wherever the switch will be easily accessible). Wire the switch in between the battery pack and the motor so the motor can be turned on and off.

You will now need to attach segments of the wooden dowel onto the board and motor. The head and the hand will later be fixed to these dowel segments.

1) Cut the dowel into thirds, making flat cuts so the dowels may attach in a perpendicular fashion to the board (not slanted or at an angle, they must be straight)

2) Glue one of the dowels vertically to the end of the board opposite the switch, on top (the side without the legs)

3) Drill a small hole into the middle of the end of one of the other dowels, so that the spinning rod from the motor can be tightly inserted into the dowel.

4) Attach the dowel to the spinning rod of the motor, using a drop of super glue to create a stronger bond.

5) Using a combination of super glue, wood glue, blood, sweat, tears, and duct tape, attach the third dowel segment to the top of the segment you just glued to the motor. Attach the two dowels in an "L-shaped" fashion, forming a 90 degree angle.

Now is where the sculpture comes together.

1) Stuff a small plastic glove with cotton balls, to give it a lightweight three-dimensional appearance.

2) Stuff the cotton-filled glove onto the end of the L-shaped dowel, then wrap the open end tightly around the dowel and super glue or duct tape securely onto the dowel.

3) Use a generous amount of duct tape to secure your head to the other vertical dowel. If you are not worried about using your head in the future, feel free to simply glue the head to the dowel for a more secure bond.

Now that the sculpture has been put together and completed, wait for all of the super glue/wood glue to completely dry.

Simply flip the switch to the on position, and watch as the hand of lives continually revolves and delivers repetitive slaps to the manikin head's (or real person's, if you went that route) face!