Gornpyramide

 I made this.

It's my take on a German Weihnachtspyramide, a candle-powered carousel that is a traditional Christmas decoration in both that country and ours. Except instead of the Christ child in a manger or jolly Santa in the sky, I recreated the classic battle between Captain Kirk and the Gorn from the "Star Trek" episode "Arena" (1967).

Note the carefully observed details, including the Enterprise in orbit overhead, the Gorn's handmade weapons, and Kirk's bamboo cannon, diamond projectiles, and chemicals he found to make gunpowder. Also enjoy the scenic and iconic Vasquez Rocks, the shooting location of many "Star Trek" episodes and countless TV shows and movies, separating the combatants.

My tiny Enterprise, made of dowels and toothpicks.

The reptilian Gorn, with his silver eyes, gold toga, snare net, and obsidian dagger.

Our hero, James T. Kirk, smug in the knowledge that he has everything he needs--bamboo cannon reinforced with native fiber, diamonds, charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate--to defeat the Gorn.

My glorious inspiration.

I don't know how the idea came to me but I've wanted to make it for a long time. Like, for years. Finally decided "Just do it already!" It was a tricky build--you have to optimize for mass, balance, and friction, and I basically had to build it twice to learn from my mistakes and get those right. Even still, it needs enormous vanes to catch enough candle heat to keep moving.

But, to quote Galileo, "It moves."

My wife, Karen, says she's never been prouder, but sometimes she's sarcastic and I can't tell.

I'm just happy in the knowledge I've created something that has never existed before in the history of the universe. Isn't that what Art is all about?