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
Artist	Len Lye
Year	1997–98 (groundbreaking) 1998–99 (constructed) 1 January 2000 (opened)
Type	Kinetic sculpture
Dimensions	48 m (157 ft) high 200 mm (7.9 in) diameter
Location	New Plymouth, New Zealand
Coordinates	39.056056°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

• Zephyrometer