Needle Tower
Read here about the Needle Tower, one of Kenneth Snelson's most well known works, partially due to its location on the Washington DC Mall.
Overview[edit]
The Needle Tower, 1968,is composed of aluminum cylinders & stainless steel cable. It measures 60 x 20 x 20 feet, 18.2 x 6 x 6m. It belongs to the collection of the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C. and stands outdoors on the Washington Mall.
Video of 15 people Raising the Needle Tower in 2010[edit]
In this video, 15 members of the museum staff up-right the tower following some conservation work, in Hirshhorn Plaza.
Animation of Construction of a Needle Tower[edit]
This video animation shows a Needle Tower-like construction. The animation differs in that it is 50% taller (90 feet) and the top cylinders do not taper in size.
Needle Tower as Inspiration for Biotensegrity[edit]
The Needle Tower is documented as being the inspiration for researchers to seek in tensegrity structure an explanation for biological mechanical structure and information propagation. See Levin.
Links and References[edit]
Kenneth Snelson's website, http://www.kennethsnelson.net/
Needle Tower on Kenneth Snelson's website, http://www.kennethsnelson.net/sculpture/outdoor/21.htm
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden page on Needle Tower, http://hirshhorn.si.edu/visit/collection_object.asp?key=32&subkey=12691