Wind Wand

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.

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
Coordinates39.056056°S 174.071736°E / -39.056056; 174.071736

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.
  4. "Puke Ariki". New Plymouth Top 10 Holiday Park. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. "Len Lye Wind Wand". New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 5 December 2012.


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