Editing Tensegrity (section)

== Origins and art history ==

[[Image:Snelson XModule Design 1948.png|upright|thumb|right|Kenneth Snelson's 1948 X-Module Design as embodied in a two-module column{{sfn|Gough|1998|p=109}}]]

The origins of tensegrity are not universally agreed upon.<ref name="origins">{{cite journal |last=Gómez-Jáuregui |first=V. |title=Controversial Origins of Tensegrity |journal= International Association of Spatial Structures IASS Symposium 2009, Valencia | year = 2009 | url =http://www.tensegridad.es/Publications/Controversial_Origins_Of_Tensegrity_by_GOMEZ-JAUREGUI.pdf}}</ref> Many traditional structures, such as [[kayak|skin-on-frame kayaks]] and [[shōji]], use tension and compression elements in a similar fashion.

Russian artist [[Viatcheslav Koleichuk]] claimed that the idea of tensegrity was invented first by [[Kārlis Johansons]] (in Russian as German as Karl Ioganson) ([[:lv:Karlis Johansons|lv]]), a Soviet [[avant-garde]] artist of [[Latvians|Latvian]] descent, who contributed some works to the main exhibition of Russian [[Constructivism (art)|constructivism]] in 1921.<ref name=moscowtimes>{{cite web | url = http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/08/18/101.html | title = Building Blocks | access-date = 2011-03-28 | last = Droitcour | first = Brian | date = 18 August 2006 | work = [[The Moscow Times]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007061240/http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/08/18/101.html | archive-date = 7 October 2008 | quote = With an unusual mix of art and science, Vyacheslav Koleichuk resurrected a legendary 1921 exhibition of Constructivist art.}}</ref> Koleichuk's claim was backed up by [[Maria Gough]] for one of the works at the 1921 constructivist exhibition.{{sfn|Gough|1998}} Snelson has acknowledged the constructivists as an influence for his work (query?).<ref>In Snelson's article for Lalvani, 1996, I believe.{{full citation needed|date=March 2021|reason="I believe.", really?}}</ref> French engineer David Georges Emmerich has also noted how Kārlis Johansons's work (and industrial design ideas) seemed to foresee tensegrity concepts.<ref>David Georges Emmerich, ''Structures Tendues et Autotendantes'', Paris: Ecole d'Architecture de Paris la Villette, 1988, pp. 30–31.</ref>

In fact, some scientific paper proves this fact, showing the images of the first Simplex structures (made with 3 bars and 9 tendons) developed by Ioganson.<ref>Gómez-Jáuregui, V. et al. (2023) “[https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/15/8669 Tensegrity Applications to Architecture, Engineering and Robotics: A Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/202401190841/https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/15/8669}}&rdquo. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8669; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158669</ref>

In 1948, artist [[Kenneth Snelson]] produced his innovative "X-Piece" after artistic explorations at [[Black Mountain College]] (where [[Buckminster Fuller]] was lecturing) and elsewhere. Some years later, the term "tensegrity" was coined by Fuller, who is best known for his [[geodesic dome]]s. Throughout his career, Fuller had experimented with incorporating tensile components in his work, such as in the framing of his [[dymaxion]] houses.{{sfn|Fuller|Marks|1960|loc=Ch. Tensegrity}}

Snelson's 1948 innovation spurred Fuller to immediately commission a mast from Snelson. In 1949, Fuller developed a tensegrity-[[icosahedron]] based on the technology, and he and his students quickly developed further structures and applied the technology to building domes. After a hiatus, Snelson also went on to produce a plethora of sculptures based on tensegrity concepts. His main body of work began in 1959 when a pivotal exhibition at the [[Museum of Modern Art]] took place. At the MOMA exhibition, Fuller had shown the mast and some of his other work.<ref>See photo of Fuller's work at this exhibition in his 1961 article on tensegrity for the ''Portfolio and Art News Annual'' (No. 4).</ref>  At this exhibition, Snelson, after a discussion with Fuller and the exhibition organizers regarding credit for the mast, also displayed some work in a [[display case|vitrine]].{{sfn|Lalvani|1996|p=47}}

Snelson's best-known piece is his {{convert|26.5|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|abbr=off|sp=us}} ''[[Needle Tower]]'' of 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Needle tower |url=https://krollermuller.nl/en/page/3806}}</ref>