Cool Jazz; Second Place, Poster for 2008 (January 2007)

Cool Jazz. Photo by Carl Schofield.

After a break in 2006, Rich Seeley suggested that his friend David Chamberlain might have a suitable design. Indeed he did, and we sculpted with him for three years. The first one, Cool Jazz, was challenging and dangerous, as it might easily collapse in the center. It did not. And we received the second place prize, as well as the image on the poster for the following year. Personnel: David Chamberlain, Dan Schwalbe, Stan Wagon, Richard Seeley.

As we were removing the final support a few minutes before the bell, some other teams encouraged us to leave it in place, since removing it will surely cause collapse. Indeed, as I moved the saw a cracking noise did emanate from the snow: but the form did not change! Nerve-wracking.

Stan at work. Photo by Ming Cheung.
Our work was featured on both the poster for the following year, and T-shirts.
Dan ponders his next move. Photo by Ming Cheung.
Two supports hold up the central loop, which is more massive than it appears.
Just before the final bell I removed the two supports. Other teams suggested that we should leave the supports in, as it was sure to crash. While there was an audible crack, nothing moved and the structure maintain its shape for two weeks. This step is terrifying though!
Cool Jazz. The weight in the center is greater than is evident, so there was definite danger of a collapse when the final support was removed.
Cool Jazz. (Photo by Carl Schofield)