The concept of Power Flowers has so much potential. Similar to the dinosaurs around town, a unique Power Flower, designed with input from local youth, can grace various locations in Pittsburgh. While the youth are working on executing their artistic ideas, they will absorb information about the technology. The blend of technology, functionality, and art will certainly serve as an inspiration to young Pittsburghers involved in the project. Once their work is placed in a public location, they will also benefit from the recognition as well as the feeling of ownership.
This is an incredibly creative idea. Could you explain your sustainability model? You indicate that the project will sustain itself after the start-up funding. How?
We have added more information about the sustainability plan of the project.
We want to donate two of the youth generated works to organizations that best support the voice of youth and sell the other three to groups that can utilize the mobile muti-site sculpture concept for their mission specific needs. Any profits would be reinvested in new designs and youth connections to maintain the sustainability of the project.
We are having fun and are excited by the response.
As you describe, the feeling of ownership is key. We hope the sculptures will be visible symbols of empowerment to all youth involved in the project.
Thanks, from the AED team.
----------
i'm excited to be a part of the art energy design team and how pittsburgh youth will create and direct the types of sustainable energy sculptures as well as future ideas which result.
rick byerly
fine art photographer
associated artists of pittsburgh vice president
pittsburgh technology council's art and tech initiative advisory committee
I think this concept will win many hearts and minds. Sustainability is the number one issue facing our planet, and the combination of art and green energy/ public education here is a great example of what can be done at a local level. It is also visually delightful, a key to getting important messages across!
Thank you Nicole for your kind input. The team shares your positive and hopeful grassroots vision of sustainability.
I am pleased that the organic message delivery system is working, but we are always looking to improve our concept and welcome all advice.
Thanks again, Dave E.
Public schools need EXACTLY the type of learning relevance and community application that a project like this brings with it. This is the type of thing that can light a fire in a student's mind who never before saw him or herself as someone interested in science, green technology, bettering the community - or education per se. I mentioned the project to several science teachers in my school district and they were extremely excited about getting involved! They've got groups of kids from around Pittsburgh ready to build these beautiful symbols of what can blossom in our city and in the minds of our city's youth.
Thank you Cindy. Your comment is spot on.
In the near future we are considering powering small DC voltage pumps to facilitate uses for rain water reclamation. The organic sculpture designs will lend themselves to esthetically pleasing ways to clean, preserve and conserve water in an energy sustainable way. We share your interests.
Thanks again, Dave E.
The Netherlands already has old windmills (nice looking but inefficient) and new windmills (efficient but ugly). It would be nice to have good looking and efficient windmills in our country.
Wow! We can learn many lessons about art and resource management from the people of the Netherlands, since your culture has a such a deep history of both. We would love to see them there... giant tulips perhaps? :)
If improving the aesthetic of sustainable energy devices will create incentives for increased usage, then we have yet another positive dimension to our Power Flower philosophy. Thank you for this most interesting comment.
The concept sounds really amazing and the plan is so clear and bright, if I would be a rich lady with my own piece of green land i would purchase one immediately if not sooner!
Thanks for the supportive and fun comment! You do not have to be rich to have a Power Flower and in our plan we are giving 2 of the 5 sculptures free to 2 non-profit organizations that best support youth voices.
Prices of solar arrays and wind turbines are dropping while their efficiency is growing and at a point they pay for themselves. The upfront costs are dropping while the return time on your investment is shortening. Part of the learning curve is showing people that it is economically shrewd to go sustainable. It's just smart in every way.
Thanks so much, Dave E.
This project is a great synthesis of the Clean Tech movement and art. Some may think that the hard economic times are bad for new projects and ideas, but I don't. This is the time when conservation is key. Also, I feel like the Clean Tech industry is just getting it's feet, and with Obama in the office will hopefully getting things going. Good luck!
We very much agree. We are confident that in 3-10 years small businesses and families will be learning what scale sustainable energy system fits them best. Just like everyone knows the basics of car workings soon we will need to know the sustainable energy basics. Youth will be at the forefront of the conversation and forward thinking public art can open the door too a sustainable conversation.
Very happy that you commented, Dave E. and the AED team
I imagine that Phipps conservatory might be interested in one. Also any institution with outdoor wifi might consider these for decoration and computer/cell phone (low power) power supplies.
We see bunch of different flowers spinning and linked together...imagine the power possibilities for all sorts of art and education gadgetry! I am writing this on the deck while my laptop is plugged into the sculpture recharging. There is a DC low voltage outdoor outlet in the weatherproof signage/electronics box to plug in the things you describe.(No wind today but full sun so the solar leaves are happy) There is a word limit to entry descriptions and I am happy that you made the forward thinking comment. Yes, the Power Flower leaves even provide shade so I can see the computer screen!...This feature, I must admit, is a happy surprise. Thanks, Ian ---------- DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com 137 Berryhill Rd Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125 Phone 412-487-0621 Fax 412-487-0604 http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
I think in addition to the Phipps idea mentioned below, seeing these outside the Carnegie library and on the various college campuses would be beneficial. Tons of folks outside using laptops, cell phones, etc that could use them, and they'd certainly brighten the landscape a bit
Thanks for your comment Joe. These would indeed be great places for the sculptures.
How the the energy produced by these creations is used, is up to the public or the owners of the sculpture. The flexibility of uses including: lighting, sound, mechanical, information and communication is the real power of the design. We encourage people to adapt the design to their own needs. From lighting and watering a garden to powering up electronics the uses are many.
Sustainable solar, wind and water technologies are going to placed directly in or near cities. Electrical grids as we know them are obsolete and inefficient. Increasingly, energy will be produced directly where it is needed. We see The Pittsburgh Power Flowers as the "conversation starter" to a new industry that will address new urban contexts and esthetics of the devices themselves. We believe that student input is the key to radical new designs and we need their help as much as they may need ours.
What a great concept! Kids understand that flowers make their own energy from the sun. This idea expands on what they already know in a fun and informative way.
Thanks Karen for commenting. Kids get it. Their ideas are simple, direct and often quite astounding. In teaching art workshops I have often learned more from them than I had to offer.
The Pittsburgh Technology Council is thrilled to be showcasing the Power Flower at next week's 2009 Art + Technology Exhibition opening event! Come out and see it in action on June 18 5:30 -- 7:30 at the Council's 15 Minutes Gallery.
The Power Flower is the perfect example of how art, technology and education can unite in a valuable and innovative work of public art.
Thanks to you Kim and the Council's Art & Technology Initiative. We are looking forward to exhibiting the prototype and hope to use the public feedback to guide our youth/mentor development of five new public sculptures.
It was great to meet you and Marisette at the 15 Minutes Gallery reception... And beautiful to see the Power Flower in action! We're incredibly fortunate to live in a city so supportive of environmental art. I wish both our teams the best of luck!! :)
Dave: an overdue note of support. The Power Flower is a fantastic idea that could be used in a wide variety of creative and educational contexts. I would love to help bring something like this to Allegheny College and Crawford County in general. Let me know how I can be of help.
Thank you Dr. Hollerman for the support. The possibility of collaboration with Allegheny College would open mutually supporting venues. We would very much enjoy a meeting.
Jeff, we appreciate you introducing our concepts to Amara Geffen. The "Read Between the Signs" works at Allegheny have captured the imagination of the public. We also realize that capturing the imagination is the first step needed to encourage people to take a moment to read between the lines and see the deeper possibilities of all of our sculptures.
Glad to learn about your project. Sounds wonderful and I would love to see it. Are there any on display in Pittsburgh?
The sign art project that Jeff Hollerman wrote about (http://ceed.allegheny.edu/A&EI/read.html) demonstrates creative reuse of old highway signs, which have been used to create massive sculptural flowers and a 1200' x 10' sculptural relief along Route 322/6/19 that celebrates the Meadville area. The latter project, "Read Between the Signs", also includes kinetic components that are solar and wind powered, but we are not generating energy via the sculptures for anything other than powering parts of the roadside sculpture such as a ferris wheel or to embellish wind driven snowflakes. We also have a section that is intended to be solar powered to drive fish so they 'jump' from water that we hope to develop this summer. This is a reference to the fish at the spillway at Pymatuning Lake in Linesville, where the fish are so dense that it seems as if the ducks walk on the fish backs.
I'd love to have an opportunity to talk with you and see the flower power sculptures. Eventually we will be renewing the flowers on the PennDOT project ("Signs and Flowers", which you can find on the CEED website). We also have begun to develop interesting stormwater mitigation projects that merge Land Art and EcoArt practices. Our latest project can be found on the CEED site under Arts & Environment Land Art/Ecoart projects.
Let me know if you are interested in talking further. It's exciting to meet an Allegheny alum who is doing similar work!
It is inspiring to hear the details of your groups ongoing projects. I would enjoy talking with you also. The prototype is currently in front of the Pittsburgh Technology Council building, located at 2000 Technology Drive. My email is DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
If we are fortunate and become finalists, we invite other contestants and their supporters to consider voting for our project. Our sculptural concepts could be available for use by other contestant teams to support their ideas.
We were contacted by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Office of Protocol, requesting a proposal for the creation of 30 smaller scale Power Flowers for gifts to the delegates of the upcoming G20 summit in Pittsburgh. Our prototype located at the Pittsburgh Technology Council caught the attention of staffers visiting Pittsburgh. We are anxiously awaiting a decision on our proposal.
Thanks to all for the support and hard work. We followed the intent of the contest, engaged other contestants and can be proud that we addresses sustainability honestly.
Comments
The concept of Power Flowers has so much potential. Similar to the dinosaurs around town, a unique Power Flower, designed with input from local youth, can grace various locations in Pittsburgh. While the youth are working on executing their artistic ideas, they will absorb information about the technology. The blend of technology, functionality, and art will certainly serve as an inspiration to young Pittsburghers involved in the project. Once their work is placed in a public location, they will also benefit from the recognition as well as the feeling of ownership.
It's great to have you on our team Marisette!
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
David-
This is an incredibly creative idea. Could you explain your sustainability model? You indicate that the project will sustain itself after the start-up funding. How?
Thanks!
Jenna
Thank you for the input Jenna!
We have added more information about the sustainability plan of the project.
We want to donate two of the youth generated works to organizations that best support the voice of youth and sell the other three to groups that can utilize the mobile muti-site sculpture concept for their mission specific needs. Any profits would be reinvested in new designs and youth connections to maintain the sustainability of the project.
We are having fun and are excited by the response.
Thanks again from the team at Art Energy Design.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
Thanks Marisette for the insightful comment!
As you describe, the feeling of ownership is key. We hope the sculptures will be visible symbols of empowerment to all youth involved in the project.
Thanks, from the AED team.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
i'm excited to be a part of the art energy design team and how pittsburgh youth will create and direct the types of sustainable energy sculptures as well as future ideas which result.
rick byerly
fine art photographer
associated artists of pittsburgh vice president
pittsburgh technology council's art and tech initiative advisory committee
pittsburgh galleries blogger
I think this concept will win many hearts and minds. Sustainability is the number one issue facing our planet, and the combination of art and green energy/ public education here is a great example of what can be done at a local level. It is also visually delightful, a key to getting important messages across!
Thank you Nicole for your kind input. The team shares your positive and hopeful grassroots vision of sustainability.
I am pleased that the organic message delivery system is working, but we are always looking to improve our concept and welcome all advice.
Thanks again, Dave E.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
Public schools need EXACTLY the type of learning relevance and community application that a project like this brings with it. This is the type of thing that can light a fire in a student's mind who never before saw him or herself as someone interested in science, green technology, bettering the community - or education per se. I mentioned the project to several science teachers in my school district and they were extremely excited about getting involved! They've got groups of kids from around Pittsburgh ready to build these beautiful symbols of what can blossom in our city and in the minds of our city's youth.
functioning art that teaches us a new way to use LESS and care more about our world. good job.
Thank you Cindy. Your comment is spot on.
In the near future we are considering powering small DC voltage pumps to facilitate uses for rain water reclamation. The organic sculpture designs will lend themselves to esthetically pleasing ways to clean, preserve and conserve water in an energy sustainable way. We share your interests.
Thanks again, Dave E.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
The Netherlands already has old windmills (nice looking but inefficient) and new windmills (efficient but ugly). It would be nice to have good looking and efficient windmills in our country.
Wow! We can learn many lessons about art and resource management from the people of the Netherlands, since your culture has a such a deep history of both. We would love to see them there... giant tulips perhaps? :)
If improving the aesthetic of sustainable energy devices will create incentives for increased usage, then we have yet another positive dimension to our Power Flower philosophy. Thank you for this most interesting comment.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
The concept sounds really amazing and the plan is so clear and bright, if I would be a rich lady with my own piece of green land i would purchase one immediately if not sooner!
Thanks for the supportive and fun comment! You do not have to be rich to have a Power Flower and in our plan we are giving 2 of the 5 sculptures free to 2 non-profit organizations that best support youth voices.
Prices of solar arrays and wind turbines are dropping while their efficiency is growing and at a point they pay for themselves. The upfront costs are dropping while the return time on your investment is shortening. Part of the learning curve is showing people that it is economically shrewd to go sustainable. It's just smart in every way.
Thanks so much, Dave E.
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
This project is a great synthesis of the Clean Tech movement and art. Some may think that the hard economic times are bad for new projects and ideas, but I don't. This is the time when conservation is key. Also, I feel like the Clean Tech industry is just getting it's feet, and with Obama in the office will hopefully getting things going. Good luck!
We very much agree. We are confident that in 3-10 years small businesses and families will be learning what scale sustainable energy system fits them best. Just like everyone knows the basics of car workings soon we will need to know the sustainable energy basics. Youth will be at the forefront of the conversation and forward thinking public art can open the door too a sustainable conversation.
Very happy that you commented, Dave E. and the AED team
----------
DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
137 Berryhill Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125
Phone 412-487-0621
Fax 412-487-0604
http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
I imagine that Phipps conservatory might be interested in one. Also any institution with outdoor wifi might consider these for decoration and computer/cell phone (low power) power supplies.
We see bunch of different flowers spinning and linked together...imagine the power possibilities for all sorts of art and education gadgetry! I am writing this on the deck while my laptop is plugged into the sculpture recharging. There is a DC low voltage outdoor outlet in the weatherproof signage/electronics box to plug in the things you describe.(No wind today but full sun so the solar leaves are happy) There is a word limit to entry descriptions and I am happy that you made the forward thinking comment. Yes, the Power Flower leaves even provide shade so I can see the computer screen!...This feature, I must admit, is a happy surprise. Thanks, Ian ---------- DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com 137 Berryhill Rd Glenshaw, PA 15116-3125 Phone 412-487-0621 Fax 412-487-0604 http://www.DavidEdwardsArt.com/
I think in addition to the Phipps idea mentioned below, seeing these outside the Carnegie library and on the various college campuses would be beneficial. Tons of folks outside using laptops, cell phones, etc that could use them, and they'd certainly brighten the landscape a bit
Thanks for your comment Joe. These would indeed be great places for the sculptures.
How the the energy produced by these creations is used, is up to the public or the owners of the sculpture. The flexibility of uses including: lighting, sound, mechanical, information and communication is the real power of the design. We encourage people to adapt the design to their own needs. From lighting and watering a garden to powering up electronics the uses are many.
Sustainable solar, wind and water technologies are going to placed directly in or near cities. Electrical grids as we know them are obsolete and inefficient. Increasingly, energy will be produced directly where it is needed. We see The Pittsburgh Power Flowers as the "conversation starter" to a new industry that will address new urban contexts and esthetics of the devices themselves. We believe that student input is the key to radical new designs and we need their help as much as they may need ours.
What a great concept! Kids understand that flowers make their own energy from the sun. This idea expands on what they already know in a fun and informative way.
Thanks Karen for commenting. Kids get it. Their ideas are simple, direct and often quite astounding. In teaching art workshops I have often learned more from them than I had to offer.
The Pittsburgh Technology Council is thrilled to be showcasing the Power Flower at next week's 2009 Art + Technology Exhibition opening event! Come out and see it in action on June 18 5:30 -- 7:30 at the Council's 15 Minutes Gallery.
The Power Flower is the perfect example of how art, technology and education can unite in a valuable and innovative work of public art.
More info at: www.15minutesgallery.org.
Thanks to you Kim and the Council's Art & Technology Initiative. We are looking forward to exhibiting the prototype and hope to use the public feedback to guide our youth/mentor development of five new public sculptures.
It was great to meet you and Marisette at the 15 Minutes Gallery reception... And beautiful to see the Power Flower in action! We're incredibly fortunate to live in a city so supportive of environmental art. I wish both our teams the best of luck!! :)
Dave: an overdue note of support. The Power Flower is a fantastic idea that could be used in a wide variety of creative and educational contexts. I would love to help bring something like this to Allegheny College and Crawford County in general. Let me know how I can be of help.
Thank you Dr. Hollerman for the support. The possibility of collaboration with Allegheny College would open mutually supporting venues. We would very much enjoy a meeting.
Jeff, we appreciate you introducing our concepts to Amara Geffen. The "Read Between the Signs" works at Allegheny have captured the imagination of the public. We also realize that capturing the imagination is the first step needed to encourage people to take a moment to read between the lines and see the deeper possibilities of all of our sculptures.
Hello David,
Glad to learn about your project. Sounds wonderful and I would love to see it. Are there any on display in Pittsburgh?
The sign art project that Jeff Hollerman wrote about (http://ceed.allegheny.edu/A&EI/read.html) demonstrates creative reuse of old highway signs, which have been used to create massive sculptural flowers and a 1200' x 10' sculptural relief along Route 322/6/19 that celebrates the Meadville area. The latter project, "Read Between the Signs", also includes kinetic components that are solar and wind powered, but we are not generating energy via the sculptures for anything other than powering parts of the roadside sculpture such as a ferris wheel or to embellish wind driven snowflakes. We also have a section that is intended to be solar powered to drive fish so they 'jump' from water that we hope to develop this summer. This is a reference to the fish at the spillway at Pymatuning Lake in Linesville, where the fish are so dense that it seems as if the ducks walk on the fish backs.
I'd love to have an opportunity to talk with you and see the flower power sculptures. Eventually we will be renewing the flowers on the PennDOT project ("Signs and Flowers", which you can find on the CEED website). We also have begun to develop interesting stormwater mitigation projects that merge Land Art and EcoArt practices. Our latest project can be found on the CEED site under Arts & Environment Land Art/Ecoart projects.
Let me know if you are interested in talking further. It's exciting to meet an Allegheny alum who is doing similar work!
Cheers.
Amara
Hello Amara,
It is inspiring to hear the details of your groups ongoing projects. I would enjoy talking with you also. The prototype is currently in front of the Pittsburgh Technology Council building, located at 2000 Technology Drive. My email is DLEdwards@DavidEdwardsArt.com
If we are fortunate and become finalists, we invite other contestants and their supporters to consider voting for our project. Our sculptural concepts could be available for use by other contestant teams to support their ideas.
Cheers, Dave and the AED team.
We were contacted by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Office of Protocol, requesting a proposal for the creation of 30 smaller scale Power Flowers for gifts to the delegates of the upcoming G20 summit in Pittsburgh. Our prototype located at the Pittsburgh Technology Council caught the attention of staffers visiting Pittsburgh. We are anxiously awaiting a decision on our proposal.
Thanks to all for the support and hard work. We followed the intent of the contest, engaged other contestants and can be proud that we addresses sustainability honestly.
Thanks everyone, Dave and AED