Finally it was time to setup the display on the front lawn. Once the machine was put in position, I applied the lights (many of which were set to chase using a small lighting controller), the conveyor belt (a window was added using thin plastic and black spray paint on the outer edges for weathering), a fog machine behind the grills, speakers for sound, and tombstones scattered across the yard. Skeletons were positioned around the machine to act as "operators" in this factory setting, and though I was planning on animating them with motors, I eventually ran out of time and had to give up this detail.
I designed a sign on a computer and had it imaged out on outdoor vinyl at a Kinko's copy center. This was pricey (100 bucks) but given that the paper alternative was $75, it made sense to opt for the better material. Once the sign was suspended on two conduit poles, I strung a wire across the top and hung a small silk flame cauldron in the middle. I also printed out a false meter for the center of the machine that was lit with a single christmas bulb from underneath.
Last, I circled the yard with three strings of staked flicker lights. Blue floodlights were placed in each corner of the yard to illuminate the scene. And I then connected an iPod to the speakers and played some industrial sounding Kraftwerk to set the mood. |
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