{"product_id":"control-tower-stay-clear-vintage-mid-century-kinetic-balance-sculpture-by-jim-hacker-1975-2444","title":"\"Control Tower Stay Clear!\" – Vintage Mid-Century Kinetic Balance Sculpture by Jim Hacker (1975)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis dynamic, mid-century kinetic folk art sculpture beautifully captures the playful, mechanical spirit of 1970s studio metalwork. Hand-built in 1975 and signed by the artist Jim Hacker, the mixed-media piece features a highly detailed, vintage-style metal monoplane counterbalanced against a solid brass sphere. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe plane and the sphere ride on a slender rod that pivots atop a central, torch-patinated copper pylon. The warm reds, golds and greens are fired into the copper with a flame - this is a patina, not paint. The column mimics a rustic control tower, playfully complete with a small, hand-lettered parchment sign reading \"CONTROL TOWER STAY CLEAR!\". Set the plane moving and the arm see-saws and swings around the tower before slowly settling. This is a true gravity balance - there is no motor, no crank and nothing to wind. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe entire assembly is anchored to a thick, organic live-edge wooden slice base. The base is hand-signed by the artist with a copyright mark, dated 1975, and carries the separate inscription \"1911\" - a nod to the pioneering era of early aviation that inspired the plane's design. Melding industrial copper tones, rich wood grains, and lighthearted humor, this rare kinetic piece serves as a captivating desktop conversation starter or an eye-catching shelf display for aviation enthusiasts and collectors of vintage americana. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003ePlease note: the balance arm rests on a pivot point and lifts off if tipped. It displays and travels best upright. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003ePre-Owned \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eSold As-Is \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAvailable from The Salvaged Curator at Bliss Market Roseville - Booth #99. Order through my Bliss Marketplace shop and it will be professionally packed and shipped to you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bliss Marketplace","offers":[{"title":"Copper \/ 14.5x4.25x9.25","offer_id":53675261133119,"sku":"235839","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0921\/7327\/1359\/files\/235839_20Claude_20Ad_201080.jpg?v=1789659131","url":"https:\/\/www.vintageblissmarketplace.com\/products\/control-tower-stay-clear-vintage-mid-century-kinetic-balance-sculpture-by-jim-hacker-1975-2444","provider":"Bliss Marketplace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}