WINDSCAPE
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
Photo Credit: Kyle Klein
Windscape was a large-scale outdoor sculptural installation designed to showcase the power of wind and highlight wind as an alternative source for generating energy. Our intent with this installation was to bring attention to the growing urgency for clean energy, while presenting a playful visual metaphor that describes wind energy as accessible to all people. This temporary installation was commissioned by the Cambridge Science Festival in 2019 and located on the lawn of City Hall in Cambridge, MA.
This installation was the second project in a series for the Cambridge Science Festival. The first installation, titled Solar Forest, focused on solar energy by highlighting the need for clean renewable light sources globally. We wanted to continue to bring awareness to renewable energy resources by designing the second sculptural installation to actively harness wind power.
The project consisted of 100 pinwheels that were hand fabricated by our team at our studio in Somerville, MA. The pinwheels were made to look like a classic children’s pinwheel, except dramatically larger in scale. They were fabricated from weather-resistant materials and fastened atop of transparent acrylic rods. The pinwheels were also attached to a DC motor that transferred the turbine energy of the pinwheel into power to light up LEDs resting within the mount on top of the acrylic rod.
Our team worked with a group of engineers at Artisan’s Asylum to design and fabricate custom circuit boards that were hidden within the pinwheels. We initially approached Artisan’s Asylum for advice on designing a board that would light LEDs with a steady stream of electricity, despite the varying velocity of speed in changing wind conditions. They ended up not only helping us design the board, but helped us with the fabrication of each board and so much more. From 3D printing of custom parts to hand soldering each of the components onto the boards, we could not have executed this project without the help of Mike Beach and Simon Chase from Artisan's Asylum.
This installation was designed with the intent of igniting change in the perception of ordinary environments that people pass every day by triggering the viewer to think differently about their surroundings. This artwork was not focused on the materiality itself, but on the effect of the experience. By recreating a dramatic version of an object reminiscent of one’s childhood, it brought people back to a moment of recognition in themselves. For adults, this installation gave us the opportunity to recognize a pinwheel that we used to play with as a child, as well as quickly associate it with wind energy and the growing debate around sustainable practices. It gave children the opportunity to recognize the installation as an oversized forest of familiar objects and were encouraged to bring their wonder and playfulness to the experience.
Wind-Water
GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Wind-Water was the second installment of a wind-powered installation that was originally designed for the Cambridge Science Festival. This installation came about very spontaneously. We were inspired to take the project out of the city and see the sculptural installation activate a natural environment. We imagined it on a beach at sunrise and discussed how it would change our perception of that natural place.
Gloucester has three 400ft wind turbines that generate electricity and revenue for the city. Gloucester has always been a city run by wind, dating back to when the ships sailed only on wind power. Now, the city harnesses wind in a different way. Our studio team was inspired by this impressive stance toward renewable energy and wanted to give a nod to these efforts by bringing the pinwheel installation to the beach as a celebration for the community.
It was a Saturday morning when we contacted Lyn Burke of LuminArtz with our “crazy idea.” We told her the tides and weather were the optimal conditions; we wanted to take immediate action and surprise the City of Gloucester with an homage to their achievements in wind energy. Lyn Burke of LuminArtz quickly made it possible by securing support from the Mayor of Gloucester Sefatia Romeo Theken, who approved the project on a Sunday. We installed this project at 5am the following Monday morning.
We watched together as the sun rose on a landscape of 100 pinwheels. As the tide rose and submerged the installation in glistening water, the installation gained its new title “Wind-Water.” As passersby observed the installation, many were overjoyed to see art brought into the community, particularly one that sheds light on a pressing issue that the Gloucester community is committed to addressing. The installation remained throughout the day and into the eventing, and was taken down as night fell on the quiet, rocky beach.
the Mayor of Gloucester Sefatia Romeo Theken for supporting our vision.
This unique activation was sponsored by the Cambridge Science Festival and LuminArtz
