I would like to have seen this ‘Aeolian Tower‘ in London. One thing the story does not point out is that a few metres away there is another tower of lights controlled by the wind. It was originally part of an exhibition in 1971 but never got removed afterwards and is a kinetic light sculpture which is a frame of neon lights wired up to an anemometer. The pattern of lights changes according to wind strength.
Not as eco-friendly as lights that are actually powered by the wind maybe, but having the two side-by-side is an interesting juxtaposition. Ever since a teacher on a school trip pointed the lights out and explained how they work I have always looked up at them to see how fast they are changing.
This photo (taken in the daytime) clearly shows the old light tower.
I always knew this website would be useful one day – I remember that tower being built and always wondered what the formula was to the lights as I could never work out a sequence. Looks like it was an imposible problem to solve!
Gordon, I think the formula would come under the heading of fluid mechanics – the only thing I know about that is it is probably best left well alone unless you want a very sore head!
Skuds, I also was told about the Hayward Gallery sculpture on a school theatre trip and have looked for it ever since. My only regret is that now I am so rarely in London and hardly ever in that part of town after dark…
Hell’s bells – I never set out to be in the least bit useful… sorry about that lapse.
Fluid mechanics? Probably a bit of chaos theory in there as well I reckon.