Who's Got Dad's Folding Ruler

2017

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My father made things, perpetually using his folding ruler. Where to cut next? A riff of ruler unfolding, a thoughtful pause, a careful mark, a ceremonial refolding, returned to the hip pocket. It was the pace of projects.

 

In the rhythms of our work, our tools count out the beat. For our new generation, the folding ruler is yesterday’s tool. Our work now has a productive rhythm with the subtly altered beat of today’s tape measure. But the thoughtful pause, the careful mark, we learned to keep the same. Thanks, Dad.

 

This sculpture highlights that opening a folding ruler is a tiny geometrical detonation, Euclid escaping from a small package. Coming to rest, this sculpture refolds itself. Moving elements connect like the folding ruler, alternating top-to-top, bottom-to-bottom. Each of the five mobile ruler elements is balanced with neighboring elements. At rest, the forces and moments on each of the elements are in equilibrium.

When not at rest, unbalanced forces on the ruler drive its motion seeking the folded, at-rest state. Ready for the next measurement, the next thoughtful pause, the next careful mark.