Head
Dome: The head is topped by 10’-12′ diameter dome made of translucent fiberglass and epoxy resin, allowing light, shadow, photography or moving image to be projected on the interior surface. These images and visuals are easily visible for viewers surrounding and approaching Chimera. The height of dome from the internal platform is ca. 7′6″. This dome is not a strict hemisphere; the form bulges outward as well as up from the head.
Platform: In the head a small wood platform is secured to the steel substructure. Piercing this platform is a central pole to which light and video apparatus will be mounted. Access to this platform is provided via a short ladder built into the head substructure. The area below the platform is a secure chamber used for equipment storage and controls.
Eyes: the Chimera’s eyes are large, round, and conical like chameleon’s eyes. Steel frame with iridescent covering of plexiglass.
Facial Covering and Tusks: the Chimera’s lower face, neck and jaw are a mix of the skin-like covering on its thorax and the steel structure below. In this case the “skin” is drawn taut over the substructure and doesn’t cover it completely, allowing the steel to provide a hard, bony texture to its face. Where the facial “skin” meets the head dome, this surface covering appears to gradually stretch and disappear, as if the dome were bulging out of the skin. The tusks will be tapered hollow steel, one of which masks an important structural leg, and both of which feature a fabulous interactive “poofer” at the tip. There will be a remote control for these poofers which we will show and allow participants to control when there is a safe perimeter around the tusks, as the flame-effects are below hippy head height.
