Client
Location: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Completion date: 2020
Artwork budget: $260,000
Project Team
Artist
Wayne Littlejohn
Littlejohn Studio
Project Coordinator/Communications Facilitator
Mickey Sprott
Clark County Government
Metal fabrication
Tony Workman (and team)
Art Castings of Colorado
Engineering/Construction Supervision
Dana Ames
Horrocks Engineering
Installation/pedestal construction/concrete
Alan Nish
Raphael Construction
Lighting/programming
Mark Koch
Mayhem Media
Overview
The “Spin Baby” sculpture graces the confluence of three streets named for Rat Pack members: Sammy Davis, Jr. Drive; Dean Martin Drive; and Frank Sinatra Drive.
SPIN BABY celebrates the creative pioneers of the Las Vegas entertainment industry and ultimately, echoes the human voice.
This cast bronze and stainless steel sculpture stands 15 feet high and houses a programmable, low-voltage LED interactive lighting system.
A die-cut stainless steel screen adds contrast and visual texture while forming a see-through barrier, safeguarding both the viewer and internal systems.
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Goals
The area immediately surrounding the "Rat Pack Crossroads Project" (Spin Baby) will evolve dramatically over the coming years, seeing a dramatic rise in pedestrian activity. Goals for integrating this artwork were largely dedicated to placemaking, beautification and celebration of Las Vegas Entertainment History, but ultimately focused on the creation of a wayfinding point. Spin Baby's crossroads connect casinos, hotels, convention centers and resorts to the multi-billion dollar Las Vegas Raiders Stadium, Las Vegas Knights Arena and Las Vegas International Airport.
The artist's intention was to create a highly visible, dynamic sculpture which would transform the area with a sophisticated shape and dancing light, influenced by the viewer's interaction.
Process
Spin Baby was created using a multi-stage fabrication process beginning with a clay maquette.
A high-resolution digital model was created from the original 3-foot Maquette, then enlarged into a 12-foot polystyrene form, which was carved to a high level of detail, hard-shelled, refined and then molded.
Bronze and stainless steel parts were created from the molds (waxes) and welded over an engineer-stamped stainless steel structure.
A die-cut, patterned stainless steel screen was designed and installed in the interior to accent the microphone aesthetic, while allowing viewers visual access to the internal structure.
The digital programmable, low-voltage LED lighting system consists of 2 battons containing approximately 200 individual LEDs. The system has been programmed to interact with the sound and light produced by external stimuli.
Additional Information