Zephyrometer

The Zephyrometer is a public sculpture by Phil Price in Evans Bay, Wellington. The work was installed in 2003.[1] It is a kinetic sculpture consisting of a concrete cylinder holding a 26m tall needle which sways to show wind direction and speed (Wellington is known to Kiwis as "Windy Wellington"). The Zephyrometer was damaged by lightning on August 14, 2014.

Zephyrometer
ArtistPhil Price
TypeKinetic art
LocationWellington, New Zealand

Zephyrometer was the second of five major wind sculptures commissioned by the Wellington Sculpture Trust over the period 2000 – 2010, which now make up the Meridian Wind Sculpture Walk. Zephyrometer is the largest and most successful sculpture commissioned, achieving iconic status in the city. The work has become a destination sculpture for International tourists, and is a beloved local landmark.

Lightning strike

On 14 August 2014 at approximately 2:30pm, the Zephyrometer was struck by lightning during a hail storm, leaving the tip of the sculpture frayed. A spokesman for Wellington City Council confirmed that the "needle" is "completely stuffed".[2] Video of the actual lightning strike itself was captured by Solomon Emet and is viewable on YouTube . The sculpture was restored on May 13, 2015, [3][4] but the new needle was composed of a lighter material which caused the sculpture to bend very low in extremely windy conditions.[5] Additional weight had to be added to the counterbalance.[6]

  • Lightning damage on Zephyrometer
  • Damage on tip
  • Damage near gimbal
  • Damage near gimbal (close-up)
  • Lowest exit point (close-up)

See also

References
  1. "New sculpture to gauge Wellington's wind". Wellington City Council. 10 November 2003. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 17 July 2007.
  2. "Sculpture struck by lightning". Dominion Post. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  3. "Stricken Wellington Zephyrometer resurrected". Dominion Post. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  4. "Wellington zephyrometer resurrected after lightning strike". New Zealand Herald. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  5. "Wellington wind wand blown to within 1 metre of busy road". Stuff. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. "Wellington.scoop.co.nz » Evans Bay's Zephyrometer re-balanced and moving again". Retrieved 1 July 2021.


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