Steampunk Las Vegas - The Continuing Story from Dr. Grymm

Here is an update to my post in December about the Steampunk Telescopes I built for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.  In short, because the Scopes were put into a very heavily used area and were subjected to a larger volume of guests than were originally anticipated. We needed to quickly approach a redesign of the scope bases to further support the scopes, as it seems that the design I created let people to believe that the scopes could be moved and do more than they did on an interactive level.

Besides that, we needed to resolve an issue with the Kaleidoscope's video unit. The initial technology used was picking up some strong transmissions from the nearby buffet, so a better transmitter was needed to alleviate the noise it was picking up. When I left the site the Kaleidoscope only showed a rotating ball of changing colors, and that was not the initial plan. Both scopes were to have a video feed that would allow you to see the vantage point of the other scope from 60 feet away. And now they do! And I can tell you first hand, it really messes with people's heads!

The base was redesigned by Dr. Grymm Laboratories with the remote building assistance from Daniel Fine Art Services. As you can see from the images below, the new bases are much bigger and fully support the nose of both scopes.

       

    

        

I decided to go with a Verne-esque style fin to support the main structure. The fins and bases are built of mahogany and have a steel trim with rivets. Do I miss the original bases? Yes and absolutely, especially because they too were found objects and were very special pieces. They were also quite the find because they matched the original renders so well.

         

But the change was necessary and it will ensure that the sculptures will be safe and sound for a long time as they are once again a permanent feature at the Hotel. Reports from the site say they were missed very much by the staff and returning guests. They were glad to have them back after there two month removal to prep and rebuild. From what I hear they were the most sought after pieces of art there and the guests loved to interact with them. I'm sure now that they are fully functioning again, they will be an even bigger hit! I hope to get back there again someday and see them completed in person.

In the mean time, here again is the original video I took the day they were first installed. Note that the day I left the counter on the Kaleidoscope was at the number 12. Currently it sits somewhere in the 5000 range, and that's from just a month of usage.

I hope you yourself can go and see them someday in person as I promise they look even better than the photos. If you do, stop back by and let me know what you think! But don't stare into them too long... Doc Grymm says it can lead to madness and delusions of grandeur! But it's only a side effect!

Sincerely;
~Dr. Grymm