Wind Wand

Wind Wand
ArtistLen Lye
Year1997–98 (groundbreaking)
1998–99 (constructed)
1 January 2000 (opened)
TypeKinetic sculpture
Dimensions48 m (157 ft) high
200 mm (7.9 in) diameter
LocationNew Plymouth, New Zealand
Coordinates39°03′22″S 174°04′18″E / 39.056056°S 174.071736°E / -39.056056; 174.071736

The Wind Wand is a 48-metre kinetic sculpture located in New Plymouth, New Zealand.[1] The sculpture includes a 45-metre tube of red fibreglass, and was made to designs by artist Len Lye.[2] To residents, it is one of the main icons of New Plymouth. During the night, the Wind Wand lights up.

Costing over $300,000 it was originally installed in December 1999 along with the Coastal Walkway, it had to be taken down within weeks. After repairs it was reinstalled in June 2001.[3] The red fibreglass tube stands vertical in still air, but bends in the wind.[4]

On 17 September 2017, the Wind Wand was struck by lightning.

Materials

The Wind Wand is constructed out of fibreglass and carbon fibre. It weighs around 900 kg and has a diameter of 200 mm. The Wind Wand can bend at least 20 m. The red sphere on the top contains 1,296 light-emitting diodes.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "From Wind Wand to Waving Wands". Govett Brewster. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Our Wind Wand". Windwand.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  3. ^ "Wind wand returns to New Plymouth shore". The Press. 27 June 2001. Retrieved 15 December 2009.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Puke Ariki". New Plymouth Top 10 Holiday Park. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Len Lye Wind Wand". New Plymouth District Council. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.


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