Via ArchDaily: Universally accepted as a symbol of grace, wisdom, peace, and prosperity, Ascension is a 150-ft wide, 45-ft giant white origami crane crafted by the Crimson Collective from soaring planes of white fabric and a modular aluminum and tension wire skeleton. Physically, the giant creature will serve as a living art installation; a beacon, a shelter, and a destination for visitors. Metaphorically, the giant crane carries a universal message of peace meant to be for and from the over 100,000 attendees at Coachella, a 3 day music festival.
The sculpture is constructed based on the principle of tensegrity, or tensional integrity, meaning that the structure is based on a balance between tension and compression components. White shade fabric forms great soaring planes that are reminiscent of the folds paper in an origami crane. The aluminum structure is modular, making the crane a temporary but completely mobile structure that can be “ascend” from almost any flat site. The 100+ components and over 7000 sf of 80% mesh texilene sunshade material that make up the crane can be dismantled and shipped in one 40 ft shipping container to a new site anywhere around the globe.
Around the crane are two raised solar collection stations that harness the power of the sun throughout the relentless daylight hours. These cells will in turn power the crane’s tranquil mood lighting system at night, making the crane completely energy independent and self-sufficient. At the center of the crane is an exhibition or showcase space where innovative and uplifting ideas that are beneficial to humanity can be shared. During this initial flight, the crane will house a fuel cell demonstration, which illustrates the concept of creating energy spontaneously, rather than making it by extracting it from the Earth.