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Tensegrity describes a closed structural system composed of a set of three or more elongate compression struts within a network of tension tendons, the combined parts mutually supportive in such a way that the struts do not touch one another, but press outwardly against nodal points in the tension
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In April 2010 conservation work was completed on the sculpture by the
Hirshhorn Museum. It took 15 staff members to stand the tower upright after conservation completion.
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the six pointedness comes from the natural geometry of the three compression struts that make up each layer. Sets of three alternate with left and right
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Much has been said about the geometric shapes seen in
Snelson's works. Looking up from the inside of
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1,800 cm (60 ft × unknown ft × unknown ft)
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network to form a firm, triangulated, prestressed, tension and compression unit.
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modules, adding up to six when viewed upwards from the base of the tower.
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This 26.5-meter-tall abstract sculpture is a tapering tower made of
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Artwork by
Kenneth Snelson, version at Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden
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in 1971. The piece resides in the museum's sculpture garden.
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Snelson's unique sculpture style is well articulated in
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459:"Installation of Kenneth Snelson's "Needle Tower""
483:Acquisitions of Modern Art by Museums: Supplement
457:Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Gardens (2010).
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565:Aluminum sculptures in Washington, D.C.
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239:. According to Snelson:
204:The piece was a gift of
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517:Waymarking Entry for
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438:. Kenneth Snelson
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119:77°1′20.99″W
116:38°53′16.4″N
24:Needle Tower
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385:Smithsonian
200:Acquisition
184:Description
131: /
105:Coordinates
529:Categories
357:References
225:tensegrity
212:Tensegrity
77:Dimensions
464:7 January
442:7 January
390:7 January
298:A second
249:Symbolism
208:in 1974.
164:sculptor
345:See also
190:aluminum
162:American
85:Location
67:Aluminum
545:Helices
470:YouTube
314:Gallery
278:helical
233:tension
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327:Detail
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38:Artist
436:"FAQ"
339:Label
144:Owner
466:2010
444:2010
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235:and
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55:1968
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48:Year
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