Friday, February 1, 2008

The Zephyrometer ... #247

Perhaps its the fault of the English language ... or maybe the grammar ... or maybe it really is like this here!! Wellington is a coastal capital .. at the southern end of a small island somewhere in the South Pacific .. therefore it is highly probable that there will be wind. The english language loves alliteration and tongue twisters ... so I suppose it is natural to have word play with "W" .. as in Windy Wellington ... and fortunately if you like fresh air and streaky clouds, Wellington is the place for you.

"Windy Wellington" would still be the iconic phrase to describe the city. Hence the delightful "moving" interpretation of this with the Zephyrometer sculpture which measures the wind strength and direction. This photo is perhaps not typical as the Zephyrometer is only at a slight angle .. so enjoy the calm while you can.

Presented to the city in 2003, sponsored by Meridian Energy, and assisted by the Wellington City Council. This sculpture is the second kinetic work by Phil Price to be installed in Wellington. The dynamic mast-like structure graphically marks out the strength and direction of the prevailing wind with an elegant swaying motion. The shape, construction and movements of the sculpture are beautifully reflective of the site adjacent to the Evan’s Bay Marina.

"It is a giant-sized yet beautiful machine. Its gentle lurching will in its own way gauge the wind of Wellington. It is a type of free-form gauge with a considerable reliance on precision engineering, which I am enjoying because, as well as the work being a scientific concept, it is also a science to design and build. It is like any well-designed object where the beauty is derived through its need to function."

Phil Price: Zephyrometer Dimensions: H 33m, W variable
Location: Cnr Cobham Drive & Evans Bay Pde
Materials: Concrete,fibreglass, steel
Date of installation: 2003

Theme Day Contributors
Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand

17 comments:

Gerald (SK14) said...

what a totally fascinating sculpture combining science, art and utilitarianism.

Denton said...

A very elaborate windsock. Where I was raised, in the Southwest prairies of the US, wind was a constant. As a results windsocks were a common sight. Sadly we never had such an elaborate tool, as your Zephyrometer, to measure the wind.

Sally said...

Yes! As soon as I saw your name on the list, I though "Aaah, Wundy Willington"

edwin s said...

you see, if it wasn't for theme day, I'd never get a chance to see this fantastic windy sculpture.

R&R said...

Cool!

Anonymous said...

that's a unique sculpture!
and thanks for the information. I've learned so many things through this month's DP theme!

Anonymous said...

Excellent.

I've been to Wellington a few times but couldn't think which one photo would sum it up. I needed to think more laterally as you have done as I do always think of it as Windy Wellington. Nicely done.

Uma por Dia said...

Always learning !

Anonymous said...

zephyrometer seems very poetical to my french ears ...

Ham said...

Must be fascinating to see - and so hard to photograph, that's a nice image

Anonymous said...

How interesting! Definitely learned something!

Neva said...

I love seeing all the things I know nothing about. Great post.

kuanyin333 said...

What a beautiful invention! Happy Theme Day!

Southern Heart said...

That is so interesting...I learned something new today!

Susan said...

Great shot and interesting post!

Anonymous said...

Yes, most unusual for Wellington. I was there on Jan 31st the calmest day I've had with the needle almost pointing to the sky straight up.
Couldn't stay for the sevens though..

Cheers!

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