Vulcan’s Dream by George Rhoads

In downtown Birmingham, Alabama, you can take a refreshing break from the heat of the day by ducking into the lobby of the McWane Center. If you explore bit, you’ll quickly run across George Rhoads’ audiokinetic sculpture Vulcan’s Dream. It sits near the 2nd Ave N. entrace, between the Cafe and the Imax Theater.

This wonderful rolling ball sculpture captivates the imagination of old and young alike, and continually draws a fascinated crowd. A gift of the children and friends of Harold L. Abroms, the sculpture also provides a needed distraction for energetic children so parents can rest their weary feet nearby.

Some highlights of the sculpture include the Distributor, for randomly distributing the balls over the various tracks as they begin their journey. The slowly rotating arm of the distributor is effectively in a different place each time a ball arrives, thus directing the ball into the next nearest track entrance.

There is a counterweighted reverser, which an incoming ball will first tip the reverser off balance. As it tips, the ball shifts position, again changing the center of balance, and causing the reverser to return to the upright position, ejecting the ball onto the lower track.

Several tracks converge on the green basin, which collects them in a swirling vortex of spinning balls. As they spin around and around they eventually dissipate their energy, and fall down the center hole and return to the Ball Lift.

Children are delighted by the sounds of the balls descending the wood block stairs, and stand by with expectant faces awaiting the next ball.

Visit the Gallery to see all the photos of Vulcan’s Dream by clicking on the image at the left.

Or better yet, take a trip to downtown Birmingham AL to see the sculpture in person.

Tell ‘em the MirthMaker sent ya.

MirthMaker