| 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 |
| 39°03′22″S 174°04′18″E / 39.056056°S 174.071736°E | |
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.
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.
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]