Kids Making Kinetic Sculptures

Michio Ihara’s Wind Tree

The Wind Tree was created by Japanese sculptor Michio Ihara, as a large-scale public artwork for Auckland City. It was commisioned in 1971 out of stainless steel.

‘Wind Tree’ is approximately 22 metres long, 5 metres wide, 5.5 metres high and features trusses that are designed to swing in the wind - hence the artwork’s title.

Aspects of Michio Iharas work:

• ·      He likes to work directly with architects and planners in the creation of the public artwork.
• ·      His preferred mediums are stainless steel, with brass and copper.
• ·      The environment dictates the work - movable parts, and changeable density of the artworks.

All of these aspects of his work can be observed whilst looking at the ‘wind tree’.

Having a go at making  a kinetic sculpture

Using the inspiration of Michio Ihara's artwork ‘Wind Tree’, located at the Wynyard Quarter, The kids came along to make their own kinetic sculpture by recycling and repurposing materials. 

Some of the results are below: