2014 Exhibition

Whirlydoodles are small windmills that convert wind directly into light using tiny high-efficiency generators that power colorful LEDs mounted on the blades. My plan is to place 50 of these windmills on an outdoor lawn space. Breezes and wind currents cause the windmills to spin and illuminate. Brightness and color are determined by wind speed and ranges from red a low speeds to spinning mixes of red, blue and green.

My intent for viewers to dwell for a few moments and perceive the breezes at the location as part of nature. The spinning windmills create a perception of energy carried by the wind and pleasing aesthetics. Nighttime breezes and eddy wind currents in the city produce a luminous cloud of spinning colored circles. A illuminated sign at the location describes how wind energy is harvested and used. Additionally, viewers are likely to be amused (and interested) in miniature working windmills, possibly affecting their perceptions of alternative energy technologies.