PCC Octopus Installation

A 3-story dimensional installation constructed for PCC between January 2019 and Nov. 2019.

The building it is housed in is the first LEED certified grocery store to meet the Living Building Challenge (LBC).

The artwork and even mural paint had to adhere to these strict requirements as well, which made for a very interesting challenge in construction.

This was the most time consuming and difficult project I’ve taken on to date, and I owe endless thanks to my friends who helped me construct and problem solve along the way.

Below I’ve tried to compile some process shots and thoughts of the conception, construction, and installation.

Conceptual sketches for the piece:

After concept was approved, I spent a couple weeks building a few scale models. The LBC requirements required me to stay away from styrofoam, so I opted for a wooden skeleton, made from birch plywood, and a spandex (pantyhose) skin that would easily accept the resin, like a fiberglass mesh. Many hours later I had a frame, designed mostly in Illustrator, and cut out with my laser cutter.

In hindsight, the model construction took almost as long as the full size piece, but proved to save me a good amount of time in troubleshooting for the final design. Even though its a pain in the ass, in the future I’ll definitely be building more … — In hindsight, the model construction took almost as long as the full size piece, but proved to save me a good amount of time in troubleshooting for the final design. Even though its a pain in the ass, in the future I’ll definitely be building more scale models before I do the finished piece.

Here’s the model drying, after a few coats of fiberglass were applied. The arm segments were made in a similar fashion to the head, with vellum being skinned onto it instead of spandex. It ended up being an easier material to work with in small sec… — Here’s the model drying, after a few coats of fiberglass were applied. The arm segments were made in a similar fashion to the head, with vellum being skinned onto it instead of spandex. It ended up being an easier material to work with in small sections, and was just as strong as the body once it had a few coats of fiberglass on it.

Once the model was approved, construction on the full sized piece began. I had originally wanted to find a large buoy to build the shape around, then deflate and remover after fiberglass, but we couldn’t find anything big enough. Calvin’s idea for … — Once the model was approved, construction on the full sized piece began. I had originally wanted to find a large buoy to build the shape around, then deflate and remover after fiberglass, but we couldn’t find anything big enough. Calvin’s idea for plywood and aluminum strapping for the frame made it super light weight and avoided any foams to flesh out the shape. Later on we ended up having to add more lateral support to keep the form when stretching fabric over it, but I still think it was the best option.

After the skeleton was complete, a layer of cellophane was added to start fleshing out the shape before the fabric would be added. As you can see, the frame was already plenty strong even before the addition of the fiberglass. This was my main conce… — After the skeleton was complete, a layer of cellophane was added to start fleshing out the shape before the fabric would be added. As you can see, the frame was already plenty strong even before the addition of the fiberglass. This was my main concern throughout the whole process, so it was a big relief to see how well it held up even this early on.

The fabric was applied with spray adhesive, and took a few tries to do. Probably the most difficult part of the whole construction.

The octopus was loaded in a flat bed for it’s first trip outside, and taken to Pacific Fiberglass in Ballard, where it was coated. Initially I was trying to make the shade very smooth but I was pleasantly surprised with how the fabric made the ripp… — The octopus was loaded in a flat bed for it’s first trip outside, and taken to Pacific Fiberglass in Ballard, where it was coated. Initially I was trying to make the shade very smooth but I was pleasantly surprised with how the fabric made the ripples all over the body. I decided not to sand them out because of how similar to octopus skin it looked.

After fiberglass, a gel coat was added to further smooth things out and prepare the body for primer.

Once primed, the cream base color was sprayed on.

While all the head construction was happening, the arms were also being built in a similar fashion. Each section was 12” long, and tapered from 10”, down to 4”. I found aluminum fence post caps made a great way to round off the tip of the arms, and … — While all the head construction was happening, the arms were also being built in a similar fashion. Each section was 12” long, and tapered from 10”, down to 4”. I found aluminum fence post caps made a great way to round off the tip of the arms, and fit in LBC guidelines. There are 7 sections to each arm, and 8 arms. I tried to make the construction of each section as efficient as possible, since I knew I would have to multiply construction 56 times for the total number of arm segments.
They were built with aluminum strapping and plywood, similar to the head, and several pairs of pantyhose legs were stretched over each segment to give it shape. I then added laser cut rings to the top of each piece to hide the end of the fabric. After that, each segment had several coats of primer applied, then fiberglass.

After months on construction, we were finally able to lay out the arm segments next to the body. Looked pretty cool already!

Next I bought a bunch of different ramekins from a used restaurant supply place in South Seattle and mocked them up to see which looked most like suction cups.

I settled on these 1.5 oz ramekins for the large segments, and little bamboo dishes for the smaller segments.

A few sunny days in a row allowed for backyard painting and assembly of the legs. Each section has 8 ramekins, multiply that by 56 sections and you have a lot of ramekins, all of which were individually painted, then bolted onto the arms.

Final sanding and cleanup on the head was next, along with internal conduit for the eyes and belly lights.

loading her up for the big trip. The door at the studio I built her was too low to fit the truck with her on it, so we had to forklift her in and outside whenever necessary.

blocking out the mural before the big install day.

A forklift was used to hoist her up, while Drew made the attachment points in the scissor lift.

The next day we got it all wired, and started making some progress on the mural.

The light at bottom was constructed out of birch plywood, and painted to look like an old brass nautical fixture

An earlier fixture design, in the end I decided on something more subtle that fit the color of the rest of octopus better.

Light fixture painting in progress. I had to paint and sand it down many times to get the look I was going for. You can see another fixture I was working on in the corner. I made few versions to see which I liked best, as I knew it would be a focal … — Light fixture painting in progress. I had to paint and sand it down many times to get the look I was going for. You can see another fixture I was working on in the corner. I made few versions to see which I liked best, as I knew it would be a focal point.

Light fixture installed, and suction cups attached to the bottom of the main body. Had to wait until the octopus was hanging to attach because I was worried the cups would break during transport.

When life gives you a red fire box, make a red fish.

My friend Ego sneaking a skull into the rocks on the 3rd floor.