Caroline Rothwell, Composer
2016, Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Stainless steel, aluminium, generator, LED light, commissioned by Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, image courtesy MCA photograph: Ken Leanfore
Composer is a 6-metre high, kinetic sculpture that explores current issues around energy consumption. The work acts as a wind turbine where the air flowing over the Sculpture Terrace is harnessed to create light. The sculpture is powered by a pinwheel – an up-scaled version of a child’s toy, usually propelled by their breath, or by the wind. Attached to the mast of the sculpture is a windswept female figure, operating as a weather vane.