Sanctuary Doves Update

After over 2 years of planning, site visits, and design work, preparations have finally begun for the massive dove installation in November.

Recently the Taro’s team met up in their Brooklyn loft space to test run the new rigging system for the display.  There were a number of exciting developments to share with everyone.

1. DOVE PRODUCTION

There is a point in every major project, when all of the design work has been approved and our team of origami professionals can finally do what they do best – fold origami!

For this project the initial installation run was for over 1,000 hand folded origami doves.

Above are the progress photos of cutting the paper, folding the doves, securing the tails, and rigging the wiring.  They ranged in size all the way up to almost 2 feet, and Senior Artists Ben and Jeff made most of the progress throughout the summer, while Frank focused on the rigging components.  Sai has also become a master at knot tying and both Ben and Jeff’s creasing hands are sore.

2. TESTING

For this project the team has decided on pre-making as much of the project at our studio as possible.  That meant making a testing area in the studio  large enough to spread out and perfect all the netting and attachment points.  The first version earlier in the year involved pullies to raise and lower the netting so that the doves can be attached at the correct height.  After a few days of trial and error on the test space, the team was able to get a full section of the netting and doves off the ground and displayed.

3. FINE TUNING

Learning from a few earlier installations, Frank later devised a more permanent rigging grid for the testing area.  Using solid bolts and turnbuckles, he was able to get a more unified grid.  This is the staging area for the rest of production, as the team is currently hard at work on cutting, tying and stringing all the spots for each of the more than 1,000 doves.  This system will ensure a smooth installation for the final display.   We can’t wait to show you the final results later this year!