The Wheel

The concept for The Wheel was a seed of an idea that came from IOU’s Artistic Director David Wheeler’s time in Antarctica on the British Antarctic Survey and ACE, artists residency scheme in 2007, but it wasn’t made at the time. The idea was to make a tiny figure that set off on a long expedition across the country on a miniature, epic journey. The concept was to recalibrate our perception of time, distance, scale and our place on the planet.  In 2023 the concept seems ever more timely and The Wheel has been reinvented, re-thought and made for this time.

The Wheel 

The Wheel rim is 2.5 metres in diameter and made from polished aluminium.  It is a hub-less wheel, this means there are no spokes or central axle-hub. Instead the rim is held in position by multiple, opposing small-wheels pressing on the inner and outer side of the wheel rim.  These small wheels connect to the main chassis. This system gives a mysterious nature to the vehicle as it travels along as it is hard to see how the wheel is supported.

The hub-less wheel gives an unobstructed view of the miniature walking figure. The figure’s arms and legs are moved by gears, cams and push-rods, and give the illusion that the figure is walking along at the speed of the turning wheel. The vehicle travels at 1metre per minute – very slowly.

The main chassis also supports two small stabilising wheels and these wheels also control the direction of the ‘vehicle’. Steering is operated by a remote control button-fob;  this is carried and operated some distance away from the vehicle by the IOU Driver.  The vehicle is powered by a 12v car battery; a geared-down 12v car wiper motor turns the friction-drive-wheel that presses onto the big hub-less wheel.

The Mobile Gallery  

This is a tower-like structure that is built on wheels and is pushed along by the IOU Operator. 

The Operator also encourages the public to write or draw their interpretation of The Wheel and let their imagination run free.

The Operator then, while they wait, scans their work and uploads it onto one of the screens of the Gallery before they then take their work home if they wish to.

Selected audience artwork will be uploaded to The Wheel online gallery on the  IOU Website ( or to the Festival’s own site)

Audiences can walk along and follow The Wheel and watch the little character walking along.  The figure and wheel are protected by a flexible barrier. People can also visit the mobile gallery a few metres ahead of the wheel which also moves along every 10 minutes or so, as The Wheel catches up to it. 

The slow movement of The Wheel creates an atmospheric, contemplative, calm, and moving experience.

Audience members can interact with the work by writing their thoughts or drawing a picture, encouraged by the IOU Operator.  The gallery has desk surfaces that people can use to write and draw as well as pop up stools and clip boards provided along side The Wheel.   The Operator then scans their work and displays it in the Gallery – there and then. 

The Wheel journey takes a pre planned route agreed with the promoter ahead of the event. Audience engagement time with the work is expected to be between 5 and 20 minutes but some people are likely to stay for longer periods, especially if they contribute to the gallery. 

To allow a clear view of The Wheel and to interact with the Gallery, the ideal number of people viewing the work at any one time would be approximately 15-25 people. The number of people will not be controlled and is expected to be self regulated.

The Wheel is a mobile mechanical sculpture on continuous display.  It is expected that people will make a number of visits to it during the day, to see how far it has travelled.  

The Wheel can run at any time throughout the day or evening. It will make stops during the day to allow the Driver and Operator to have breaks. Also, a little ‘privacy’ cover will be placed over the figure at these times.

The Wheel is suitable for all ages.

The Wheel journey takes a pre planned route agreed with the promoter ahead of the event. 

At The Festival of Thrift ( Sept 2023) The Wheel made two performances each of 2 hours duration

The Wheel comprises of three separate linked elements; The Wheel, Gallery and a moveable barrier.

The Wheel is a large aluminium and steel structure which moves at a speed of 1 metre per minute. It has a large aluminium front wheel and two smaller back wheels which stabilise the wheel and steer it. 

There is also a small mechanical character inside the rim of the wheel at the base, just above ground level. The character ‘walks’ in time with the turning of the wheel. 

A radio frequency relay system allows for controlling the turning, reverse and forward movement of the wheel via a remote control. A mechanical safety release system has also been incorporated to allow for the wheel to be moved quickly in the event of an emergency.

Power for the motors and technical equipment is via 12V DC (car) batteries.

The Gallery is a separate digital and interactive hub. Made from steel with an aluminium canopy, it contains; two 12V DC screens in IP56 enclosures, a wi-fi router, wireless antennae, raspberry pi computers and a 12V battery. 

The screen serves as a digital gallery and also utilises a raspberry pi. The Gallery also includes a pinboard and writing materials.

The moveable barrier is designed to both keep audiences a little distance away from the Wheel as it moves along and also gives a visual cue to where the wheel is going and its relation to the Gallery ahead of the wheel. 

The barrier consists of a frame on wheels that is behind The Wheel which has two, extra long, retractable ‘seat-belt’ style barrier-spools attached to it. Yellow and black fabric hazard tape is pulled out from these spools, either side of the wheel and are attached to the Gallery structure ahead of it. This creates a distinctive corridor that The Wheel travels between.  The Gallery can be between 5m and 20m ahead of the wheel, and the tape automatically adjusts to the varying distance.  

The barrier frame is physically moved along from time to time behind the wheel by the IOU operators as the wheel slowly moves along. As the Gallery is pushed along ahead, it automatically pulls the required length of tape from the spool. This adaptable system means that the barrier can be adjusted to cope with varying situations and audience behaviour. Its adjustability also enables the whole ‘procession’ to turn corners, avoid obstacles and allows the team to bring the Wheel and the Gallery close together when it occasionally stops for lunch breaks etc, which makes it easier for the venue stewards to manage and guard.

Dimensions

The Wheel:

• 250cm Height 
• 320cm Length
• 130cm Width

The Mobile Gallery:

• 220cm Height 
• 100cm Length
• 100cm Width
  

Pre set up of Spaces

The route, start and finish points will be agreed with the venue before the day of the performance. 

Both these points will need to allow for the unloading and reloading of the IOU transport vehicle.  This will either be a large 3.5 Luton type van or car and large car trailer.

Power

The Wheel and Gallery are powered using internal 12V DC car batteries which will be charged before the installation arrives on site. 

These batteries have the capacity to power the installation for the first day of performance. We will need access to two 13a Type G domestic sockets in a safe and secure location to allow for overnight battery charging if needed.

A power lead to the IOU transport vehicle would be the best option.  This would need the overnight parking of the vehicle to be considered.