Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Blowhole - Art on the Waterfront

 
Blowhole
This 15 metre high wind-powered sculpture was created in November 2005 by Australian artist Duncan Stemler who has an interest in kinetic and public sculpture. Blowhole is a large scale public art commission (won through competition) for Vic Urban in Docklands. The armature and cups interact with each other to form patterns, colours and shadows. The cups are arranged to pick up the wind like an anemometer on the top of a yacht’s mast and spin in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction with the rotation speed dependent on the prevailing wind.

 
Ian Potter Museum of Art director Chris McAuliffe said of Blowhole, it was sensitive to the location and shows a sense of history, which is to say it has something of a maritime, waterfront promenade feel.

Below is a short vidoe of Blowhole in action -


It is fascinating to watch it in action - see the cups how they spin and turn as they are propelled forever forward in motion by the wind.

Usually, the images you see of Blowhole are of the two up top. Below are two not often shown.

 
Above: Blowhole with rings
The rings are strategically placed around the Blowhole.

 
Above: Close-up
The rings came up to about waist high.


Today's Quote: Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will ~ George Bernard Shaw

18 comments:

Lois said...

Wow that thing is amazing! I'm glad you included the video. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

This is great! I especially like the top composition.

Rob Siemann said...

That's one of a kind, really amazing.

Luis Gomez said...

Amazing! Really beautiful art pieces.

lewi14@gmail.com said...

What an interesting sculpture! It's really amazing.

Lowell said...

This is just stunning! What a wonderful, delightful piece to have in any city. You're very fortunate!

Re your comment on Stone Creek: The sales center is where prospective customers go to talk to a sales representative. It contains various photos and maps of the development, there are very comfy places to sit and drink a soda or cup of coffee, and the sales offices are here, also.

The model homes are behind the sales center about a block away. Prospects are driven to them in a golf cart and given a "grand tour."

It's a very nice, warm, and comfortable building and there's no high-pressure to buy whatsoever.

Bergson said...

une exposition pour acuponcteur

Birdman said...

Some sculpture is strange... say this one.

Dianne said...

That's amazing- - I love it! and especially the movement. Great for that park.
~Dianne~

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love your series of photos of this active artwork! It must be fascinating to see it in operation and when it may be still as well!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Do the cups generate power to do something?

B SQUARED said...

Most interesting!

Anonymous said...

These are fantastic - and great photos ;-)

irinapictures said...

Amazing sculpture. And thank you for the youtube, pleasure for the eyes!

EG CameraGirl said...

Thank you for including the video. The sculpture loses something as a still.

Leif Hagen said...

Very cool, fun and whimsical artwork!

Randy said...

That is awesome! Do they make smaller garden versions?

AB said...

The Blowhole sounds like a great idea

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.