• Artwork
  • About
  • Resume
  • Press
  • Contact

Shawn HibmaCronan

  • Artwork
  • About
  • Resume
  • Press
  • Contact

2015 in Review: Love, Inertia and the Pursuit of the Perfect Stance

This year has made for some really exciting progress on Love, Inertia and the Pursuit of the Perfect Stance, my ongoing project to create a large scale street legal sculpture. Efforts have shifted from broad strokes on the exterior to dialing in and fine tuning the interior, the “cockpit”. Careful consideration for ergonomics and “user experience” have been taken. Now, with the main interior elements in place, the efforts have come full circle to where we are now; “connecting the mechanical dots” via linkages and plumbing (air/coolant/fuel/brakes) enabling each mechanical component to execute it’s function properly. More to come over the next few months as I wire, plumb, troubleshoot, and attempt to test drive this old soul.

View fullsize  The facet form motor enclosure was a major breakthrough for me. Not only did it creatively cover the motor and the odd shape opening in the middle of the floor, it also turned into an extraordinary focal point for the interior of the van. I 3D scann
View fullsize  Facet Form motor enclosure.
View fullsize  Facet Form motor enclosure.
View fullsize  Facet Form motor enclosure.
View fullsize  Facet Form motor enclosure detail showing Dzus fittings, a trusted race car body panel fascinating system.
View fullsize  Welding up the lawn chair inspired seat frames. On more than one occasion I’ve worked inside the van as it has some of the best light in the studio.
View fullsize  Once welding was complete, the chair frames were laced with seatbelt webbing in colors found inside the van. These may be changed over time as the exterior changes.
View fullsize  These seats are strong, very comfortable, and easily removable to serve as beach or lawn chairs.
View fullsize  When I’ve need to transport the van, I call AAA. Sometimes the drivers get really nervous about towing a “project car” and other times they are ecstatic. This driver was the best yet. Before we left he positioned his rig out on the runway to take ph
View fullsize  For the finale of my artist residency at Autodesk’s Pier 9 workshop we put on their first ever art show with artists spread through out their legendary shop spaces. The van was parked out front in the pier’s drive aisle welcoming an incredible numbe
View fullsize  Love, Inertia, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Stance at Autodesk's Pier 9 Workshop.
View fullsize  Love, Inertia, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Stance at Autodesk's Pier 9 Workshop.
View fullsize 2015-01-22 19.49.22.jpg
View fullsize  Carl Bass approved!
View fullsize  The opening reception was extraordinary. Many new faces. 
View fullsize  And many dear fiends.
View fullsize  Shot by Nordic Design Lab
View fullsize 2015-01-23 16.43.05.jpg
View fullsize 2015-01-23 16.46.49.jpg
View fullsize  The first item I tackled once the van was back was the fuel tank. Intricately design to hold 15 gallons of fuel and fit within the van's unique frame. Made from welded waterjet cut aluminum plate.
View fullsize  It fits precisely inside the the rear frame and breather ports to equalize the fuel in each of the three sections. 
View fullsize  The final product; an odd shape yet a perfect fit for the application.
View fullsize  It utilizes the original filler location that now has a trick flush mount motor cycle fuel far that matches the spin aluminum wheel covers perfectly.
View fullsize  The tank is designed to work with the stock Volkswagen Turbo Diesel fuel sender that came with the motor. I made compression plate to ensure a leak proof seal.
View fullsize  Installed. Clear fuel filler hose will show diesel flowing into the tank during filling.
View fullsize  Next, was the exhaust. I’ve hesitated on this step for a long time as the look and sound of the exhaust is such a significant and defining aspect of a custom vehicle. So after much research I started sourcing parts and cutting.
View fullsize  Carefully alining stainless bends and seams, tack welding and moving on.
View fullsize  The exhaust exit’s the vehicle just infront of the back wheel on the passenger side.
View fullsize  Can wait to hear what I sounds like! 2.5" side pipe should capture all of the whine and gurgle sounds from the turbo.
View fullsize  Next was the side mirrors. This is one of a few elements on the van that I was willing to stick with the original stock part. Trouble is, I couldn’t find any! So after keeping an eye out on eBay, at swap meets, in junk yards and on craigslist… I dec
View fullsize  They mimic the original design with crisper lines and added field of few.
View fullsize  Working at the front of the van, I installed the aluminum intercooler (a critical component for a turbo vehicle) underneath the front floor sheet metal. For an off the shelf part, I fits better then I could’ve hoped.
View fullsize  In preparation for my 30th birthday in September we rolled the van outside. As the rest of us pushed, Hillary had the pleasure of being the first person behind the wheel!
View fullsize  Looking good in the sun.
View fullsize  The van proved to be a hit with the little ones that attended. They spent the evening running around and swinging off the rollcage. Despite acquiring a shade of orange from rust, there were luckily no bumps, scrapes, or tears!
View fullsize  The van proved to be a hit with the little ones that attended. They spent the evening running around and swinging off the rollcage. Despite acquiring a shade of orange from rust, there were luckily no bumps, scrapes, or tears!
View fullsize  Most recently I finished off the front and rear tow hooks. 1/2” waterjet cut steel
View fullsize  The should be strong enough to use for an air lift need be.
View fullsize  I never been crazy about the lower valence of the van. Given the perfect body lines elsewhere, this always seemed to be an after thought. So I cut it out, formed a new straight section with a matching profile and widened the opening by 30+ inches.&n
View fullsize  I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! 
View fullsize  Makes the tow hooks look exceptional too!


Friday 01.01.16
Posted by Sarah Dragovich
Newer / Older