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Piece 34 / 50Creatures2019 · Oakland, California
U.S.S. Gaslight

TitleU.S.S. Gaslight
Year2019
Dimensions96” x 90” x 28”
CategoryCreatures, Large Scale
StatusIn a collection
Made inOakland, California
The story
The Gaslight was originally designed as a pirate vessel.
The ship would surface near land, in foggy conditions and mimic light house signals in order to attract oil tankers, then attack and drain them. The design was so effective it was later adopted by oil companies as a low cost alternative to drilling, and eventually the Navy for diplomatic purposes.
Every element was found — scrap yards, second-hand stores, dumpsters — then cleaned, stripped, sorted and rebuilt. Found aluminum is TIG-welded and sanded seamless; nothing is cast. The electronics are salvaged from consumer devices, repaired and rewired so the piece does something when you touch it.

IN MOTION
U.S.S. Gaslight · running2019
Parts list
What it used to be
Everything in this piece had a previous life. Nemo’s own inventory, in his words.
Aircraft wing tipsmotor boat engine partsgrapefruit spoonsfan blademodel train peoplegearswindmill towergas pumpmicrometermiscellaneous salvaged hardwaremotorsLEDsaluminumsteel
