Anemoi

An audible and optical manifestation of the air itself. Personification of air-in-motion, capable of being rotated on its axes to catch the moment’s airstream and turn it into song. 

As the kinetic energy of the wind passes through the intricately layered pipes it whistles and sings. The ethereal and emotive sounds Anemoi creates transform an intangible elemental force into a visceral experience. 

Standing juxtaposed to its natural surroundings, Anemoi unites humanity’s inherently contradictory nature. Born from synthetic, forged elements to represent our misguided detachment from the natural world, yet providing a voice for nature to speak to us. 

The reflective and multi-faceted surface of the sculpture mirrors a warped version of its surrounding environment. From the side, its polished steel appears as if liquid metal moves through the air—a mirage or portal. From behind, it is an abstract monuments standing in stark contrast to its environment in form and tone. The front of the sculpture is modelled on our likeness. The spirit of the wind personified. 

Anemoi is a meeting between sound and space. Experiencing the sculptures, one may notice the material that exists as much as the hollow spaces that fall inside it. From certain angles, the hollows appear dark creating a surface of their own. From others, the reflections of the light bouncing through the tubes create a kaleidoscopic effect. When looking directly through the sculptures, it virtually disappears. Light and airy as if it were a mercurial spirit.

The layout is based on geometric patterns rooted in nature. Concentric spirals give the piece a spiritual and mythological presence. Yet, the stainless steel material gives it a futuristic aesthetic. Combining this aesthetic and presence allow the sculptures to convey a sense of wisdom and timelessness. 

The sculpture is created using polished stainless steel tubing. The tubes vary in size and length and are meticulously layered on top of one another. The changing size and intricate layout of the tubes give Anemoi a sense of motion as if it were travelling outwards from a central point. Tubes extruding backwards at varying lengths resemble wisps of hair being blown in the wind. The larger tubes have been modified into flutes or whistles, and as air blows through the sculpture, it serves as a wind instrument, communicating with its surroundings. The plinth contains a central bearing, allowing the piece to be rotated 360 degrees by the experiencer. Instigating interaction and giving the participant the ability to change the direction it faces and in turn, the sound that it creates will connect them to the natural might of the wind. 

The kinetic interaction between participants and Anemoi provides a plane of engagement that incorporates both the art piece and one of nature's most intangible forces. The element of play, manifested in the manipulation of the sculptures and how it interacts with the wind, encourages the participants to tune into their natural surroundings. It creates a conscious imprint of the often unconscious effect we have on nature, and vice-versa. It serves as a reminder that we are both on the earth and of the earth. Anemoi represent the power, beauty and importance of all natural elements. In particular, it is an ode to the dynamism of the wind.