Blowhole 2005

STEMLER, Duncan

Registration number

1092462

Artist/maker

STEMLER, Duncan

Title

Blowhole

Production date

2005

Medium

steel, anodized steel, gears

Dimensions (H x W x D)

1500 cm (height)

Credit line

Commissioned by VicUrban (now Development Victoria) and later transferred to the City of Melbourne
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Blowhole, Duncan Stemler, Docklands, Docklands Park, mobile sculpture, wind, 2005

Summary

Location: Docklands Park South, Docklands 'Blowhole', by Sydney-based artist Duncan Stemler, is a 15-metre-high wind-powered kinetic sculpture. Its many moving parts include arms and anodised aluminium cups, which interact with each other to form changing patterns, colours and shadows. Reflecting the site’s maritime theme, together the cups resemble the form of an anemometer, used on top of a yacht’s mast. 'Blowhole' is an environmentally responsive artwork, expressing states ranging from calmness to frenzy, with the rotation speed of its elements dependent on the strength and direction of the wind. By day, the anodised cups pulse with reflected sunlight, by night they are lit from within. The sculpture is also able to change its full aspect as it rotates around its vertical axis.