Arts Community rallies for West Coast Summer Tour HOUSTON – July 10, 2014 – Independence Art Studios will host a unique audience interactive exhibition featuring the Yee-Saw, a 30 ft. tall by 35 ft. wide giant seesaw and integrated jungle gymnasium geared toward adults – the playground on a pivot. The YEE-SAW Carnival runs throughout the weekend of July 18-20 with musical performances, acrobatics, local art, popcorn, peanuts, games, and rides. The event is designed to raise support for the machine to travel to the West Coast BM Arts Festival in Black Rock City, NV to represent the city of Houston.
The Yee-Saw, created by Houston architect Edmundo Covarrubias, is a perfectly balanced giant seesaw with a dance platform, pole, merry-go-round and jungle gym. It is capable of seating six adults on harnessed chairs that spin 360 degrees while aerialists operate the balance beam from above their heads. A triangular truss braces the structure and is easy to scale for those daredevils that want to ride at the apex. Despite its size, two people can easily operate the machine sitting on either end, or just one person can control it from the very top.
“I designed the Yee-Saw as a pet project to literally test the balance of my design skills,” said Mr. Covarrubias. “My family, along with a few friends and I first built this machine in the backyard of our Meyerland home. After first unveiling it at a local arts festival in 2013, it quickly escalated into a large community project. Before I knew it, a team of diverse and talented people coalesced to bring their energy and original thinking to bear. Their collective effort has brought the Yee-Saw to impressive new heights.”
A few test runs to large crowds and many improvements later, the Yee-Saw Foundation is ready to debut to a Houston audience at Independence Art Studios (419 Janisch 77018) before taking their show on the road.
About Edmundo Covarrubias
Edmundo Covarrubias is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience. He has owned and operated Covarrubias Associates Architects since 2001. His extensive experience includes commercial retail, commercial interiors, expert master planning, industrial, residential, restaurant architecture... and giant seesaws.
About Independence Art Studios
Independence Art Studios (IAS) is an art studio facility, a community, and a home that nurtures artistic and individual growth. Built using recycled shipping containers and owned by Thedra and Stephen Cullar-Ledford, the studio opened in 2009 and currently provides work space to seven artists of various disciplines. Located in the "Itchy Acres" area between Shepherd and Yale, north of Crosstimbers popular with dozens of Houston's finest artists, the facility offers convenient access to the heart of Houston while maintaining a distinctly rural atmosphere. Currently working on projects at IAS are Thedra Cullar-Ledford (conceptual artist), Bret Harmeyer (framer, sculptural dioramas), Rachel Harmeyer (anatomical drawing embroidery), Boston Davis Bostian (genderpunk poet), John Harris (photographer), Susan Watt (ceramicist).
The three day event brought to you by southmorehouse presents offers a variety of environments for each day based around the carnival theme. Those who would like a more intimate viewing are encouraged to attend the Friday Night Preview, which is only available to supporters of the IndieGoGo campaign. Saturday Evening will be General Admission and Sunday is a Family Day.
Media Contact
David Tyson Moore
[email protected]
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The Yee-Saw, created by Houston architect Edmundo Covarrubias, is a perfectly balanced giant seesaw with a dance platform, pole, merry-go-round and jungle gym. It is capable of seating six adults on harnessed chairs that spin 360 degrees while aerialists operate the balance beam from above their heads. A triangular truss braces the structure and is easy to scale for those daredevils that want to ride at the apex. Despite its size, two people can easily operate the machine sitting on either end, or just one person can control it from the very top.
“I designed the Yee-Saw as a pet project to literally test the balance of my design skills,” said Mr. Covarrubias. “My family, along with a few friends and I first built this machine in the backyard of our Meyerland home. After first unveiling it at a local arts festival in 2013, it quickly escalated into a large community project. Before I knew it, a team of diverse and talented people coalesced to bring their energy and original thinking to bear. Their collective effort has brought the Yee-Saw to impressive new heights.”
A few test runs to large crowds and many improvements later, the Yee-Saw Foundation is ready to debut to a Houston audience at Independence Art Studios (419 Janisch 77018) before taking their show on the road.
About Edmundo Covarrubias
Edmundo Covarrubias is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience. He has owned and operated Covarrubias Associates Architects since 2001. His extensive experience includes commercial retail, commercial interiors, expert master planning, industrial, residential, restaurant architecture... and giant seesaws.
About Independence Art Studios
Independence Art Studios (IAS) is an art studio facility, a community, and a home that nurtures artistic and individual growth. Built using recycled shipping containers and owned by Thedra and Stephen Cullar-Ledford, the studio opened in 2009 and currently provides work space to seven artists of various disciplines. Located in the "Itchy Acres" area between Shepherd and Yale, north of Crosstimbers popular with dozens of Houston's finest artists, the facility offers convenient access to the heart of Houston while maintaining a distinctly rural atmosphere. Currently working on projects at IAS are Thedra Cullar-Ledford (conceptual artist), Bret Harmeyer (framer, sculptural dioramas), Rachel Harmeyer (anatomical drawing embroidery), Boston Davis Bostian (genderpunk poet), John Harris (photographer), Susan Watt (ceramicist).
The three day event brought to you by southmorehouse presents offers a variety of environments for each day based around the carnival theme. Those who would like a more intimate viewing are encouraged to attend the Friday Night Preview, which is only available to supporters of the IndieGoGo campaign. Saturday Evening will be General Admission and Sunday is a Family Day.
Media Contact
David Tyson Moore
[email protected]
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