When looking back to what life and society must have been like 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci was literally way ahead of his time with what is referred to as Janusian Thinking – where science and art are fused together to give objects kinetic form and function.

Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum wanted to honor the man who first envisioned the mechanics of human flight – while seeking a functional solution to create air movement for cooling their cathedral gallery space in Palmer, MA.

In order to construct and engineer a functional, Steampunk, da Vinci-inspired, kinetic work of art – ModVic contacted Big A## Fans (BAF), headquartered in Lexington, KY. If anyone could help create a giant, helicopter-like fan, it was these guys. BAF has been a premier player in their industry since 1999 – and has wonderfully creative examples of how their work can capture the imagination.

Also, they had experience applying their craft to old cathedrals – Bonus!!

From there, ModVic got in touch with Michael Ulman, an artist who they’ve admired and respected even before his work appeared in Mad Max Fury Road. He was asked to help conceptualize the new Steampunk sculpture and bring it to “life”.

Ulman has the ability to add texture and authenticity to his work. He came back with a design called “helicopter-man”.

Upon taking the concept drawings back to Kerry Smith at BAF, the team set to work turning that concept into a moving, mechanical piece of functional home décor – and helicopter-man evolved into “Helioman” – who made his premier debut at BDNY 2017.

After that he was a “central character” in a Boutique Design article on highlights from BDNY. And he was finally installed at his permanent home in Palmer last November.

To which end, the running joke has become – “Helioman has been hanging around up there since last year and really hasn’t served his true purpose yet!”

Needless to say, ModVic is eagerly awaiting some warm weather, so they can take him for a spin.