In this slideshow you can take a look at how RED, the 35 foot long suspended sculpture, was assembled and installed.
The sculpture employs over 600 feet of stainless steel wire which comes rolled in a coil. This wire can be pulled apart just the way a slinky toy can be extended to form a tube of sorts. Then 26 feet of 1/2 inch stainless steel tubing is inserted and attached to form a spine and stabilize the wire tube. This skeleton is then suspended about a foot off the ground and wrapped with about 25 yards of red cotton fabric that is 9 feet wide. Voila! RED is born.
This big red tube is supposed to simulate the movement of red liquid, such as red paint. Hence, the paint can on the right side. But the puzzle or quandary in RED is this question: Which way is this red paint traveling? Is it going up and out the big end and dumping into the wire basket on the left side or is it flowing down the tube and running into the paint can on the right side?
Look at the last two slides and see which way you think it flows?
The following images, albeit some grainy and low res, show the dilemma I faced when the lights made RED into purple! See comparisons below.
tcmsculptures
tcmsculptures 
Tom – Red is amazing! It makes me wonder how on earth you assembled it once you got it to Wilmington with all that wire and the miles of red cloth. I am probably wrong but I think the paint is pouring into the paint bucket. Knowing you, I’m guessing it is the other way. Keep up the good work, I’m proud to know you now but some day will brag to knowing the world famous Tom Martin!
Had no idea you were such an artist, sculptor!