"Swell", Taupo, New Zealand.
S 38° 41.445 E 176° 04.260
60H E 419206 N 5717130
A new glass sculpture along the Lake Taupo shoreline, Swell, represents a 'wind wave'.
Waymark Code: WMDG32
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/11/2012
Views: 6
On the Lake front a new sculpture has appeared. It is a curved line of clear blue glass blocks representing a 'wind wave', sculptured by local artist Colleen Ryan-Priest. The glass reflects the clear blue waters of Lake Taupo below, and sits on the side of the main road through Taupo.
The Taupo Sculpture Trust who presented the sculpture to the people of Taupo, describes the art work on their website as:
" ‘SWELL’ is a technical term for a type of wind wave, which is a long-wavelength surface wave that travels long distances across a body of water like the ocean. It is a stable, clean wave free of chop and doesn’t break. The long gentle curves of the proposed stainless steel and glass sculpture reflect this type of wave.
The environmental meaning of the work looks to oceanography and in particular the natural cycle of wave and wind patterns to identify any potential impact from extreme weather events precipitated through increased global warming and climatic change.
It is intended that this work be recognised at one level as a waveform but also to make people aware of the critical importance of water in our environment and the impact if we interrupt the natural patterns.
Stainless steel provides the wave structure and glass is used to capture the ephemeral qualities of translucence, colour, the movement of light and wind through and over the water.
This work has been constructed as one convex and one concave continuous curve sitting on its edge. Hand cut and faceted glass blocks have been inserted in a channel along the top edge of the bead blasted stainless steel frame. The work is 5 metres long by 150 mm wide and 1.2 metre at its highest point above ground.
The title of the work also provides a light-hearted sense of fun. The word ‘SWELL’ can be used as a colloquialism to denote; first rate, distinction, stylish (as any self respecting sculpture should be). So this sculpture can be enjoyed as different things to different people, despite the artist’s environmental intent."
Title: Swell.
Artist: Colleen Ryan-Priest.
Media (materials) used: Glass blocks and stainless steel frame.
Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): Lake front roadside.
Date of creation or placement: November. 2011.
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