Squids in Space - Blaqua 2k4

Brought to you by The Blacklight Aquarium

+ SEA STAR OF THE BLAQUA, aka STELLA MARIS:

Stella Maris at night - Rendered by Maya
Stella Maris at night. Rendered by Maya

Concept and Theme:
Adapting to this year's civic theme, the camp will repurpose our conduit dome as a fantastic star-shaped polyhedron. Stella Maris will be a beacon for all surrounding camps to enter the Blacklight Aquarium; to enjoy its existing decorations and to add their own to this collective art project.

Structure:
Raw materials for the star's construction are bars originally used to build the so-called 'Jan-o-dome', a singly subdivided icosahedron. Beams are electrical conduit, cut to 5-ft lengths and flattened at each end. Connections are made with bolts, washers and nuts; when fully assembled and tightened, the entire structure is extremely rigid. Scale models have been made to ease visualize assembly, and to propose various alternatives in star patterns.

Estimated height when complete is approx 15 feet tall, with greatest width also about 15 feet.

Decoration:
Most of the star's exterior will be paneled triangle-by-triangle with durable and colorful fabrics. This is necessary to give the star an appearance of solidity. A few spaces will be left open for participants to enter the star's viewing section. To the upper points of the star will be a constellation of smaller stars, affixed directly or on cables to intentionally let winds move them at night. These will be lit from inside either by glow sticks, or via Christmas lights strung along the bars and then inside. The interior will brim with a real 'thousands points of light.' Along with blacklight fixtures below, many light strings will traverse up and down the conduits, illuminating the fluorescent painted fabrics from inside. Most of the lower triangles of the polyhedron will be paneled with a reflective material; possibly Mylar or another plasticized faux mirror. A psychedelic wonderland --especially at night-- is the intended result.

A disco ball will hang from the center, with a spot light of course. The sole limitation on nightlighting should be the power draw on the generator. In the words of Paul B, we'll "Go big or go home."

Read more about Stella Maris here (.pdf format).

by brian:AM and Maya

+ THE STAR BAR:

Space - The Final Frontier?
Yeah, maybe. But, before you blast off to explore strange new worlds, seeking out new life, new civilizations and boldly going where no squid has gone before, you'll need to fill 'er up! Ding, ding.

How 'bout one more for the intergalactic highway?

Stop in at Inky's Star Bar for some luscious, lunar libations served up by a bevy of heavenly bodies. Captain Inky's on deck to complete his mission of providing all space travelers with live entertainment, relaxation pods and plenty of fuel for your rocket. Approach the launch pad and get ready for lift off as the Blacklight Aquarium presents... Squiiiiiiiiids in Spaaaaaaace!

by Starman

The Floor Plan - as of June 22, 2004
The Cleanup Plan
Workshop #1 Photos
Workshop #2 Photos
Other Workshop/Project Galleries - coming soon