Pittsburgh Power Flowers
Our team's public art proposal is the intersection of art, technology and learning. The end result of this project is the creation of five public sculptures that utilize and demonstrate sustainable energy technologies in bold new contexts. These giant kinetic works grab public attention and also provide a framework for innovative ways to incorporate solar, wind and water technology directly into the urban landscape. Youth are concerned with the future of their environment and we are advancing their own unique ideas, solutions and creativity using art as a universal catalyst. (see images link below for more youth inspired proof of concept sculpture pictures.)
About You
Location
Project Street Address
Project City
Pittsburgh
Project Province/State
PA
Project Postal/Zip Code
15218
Project Country
United States
Your idea
Name Your Project
Pittsburgh Power Flowers
Describe Your Idea
www.DavidEdwardsArt.com
www.PGHgalleries.com
www.ArtEnergyDesign.com
Our team's public art proposal is the intersection of art, technology and learning. The end result of this project is the creation of five public sculptures that utilize and demonstrate sustainable energy technologies in bold new contexts. These giant kinetic works grab public attention and also provide a framework for innovative ways to incorporate solar, wind and water technology directly into the urban landscape. Youth are concerned with the future of their environment and we are advancing their own unique ideas, solutions and creativity using art as a universal catalyst. (see images link below for more youth inspired proof of concept sculpture pictures.)
Innovation
What is your idea? What makes your project innovative? Why is it important?
We are inspired by a 12 year old who said "If things worked like a flower, it would be great."
The Power Flower is a 12' wind driven kinetic sculpture in the form of a potted sunflower. Sun and wind energy are collected with a wind turbine driven by spinning flower petals and photo voltaic solar film leaf surfaces. A 55 gal. rainwater collector serves as base and ballast. The flower provides DC power for laptops, phones or water pump features. The sculpture also powers colored LED lighting for dynamic night illumination. A weather proof controller maintains safe power levels and timed programmable lighting. This is housed within ample signage for graphics and mission statements. The sculpture is transportable and sets up easily for events and exhibitions.
This working prototype serves students as a guide for creation of 5 new and different sculptures. They will have freedom to explore their own innovations but should incorporate solar, wind and water tech components in an organic design. Youth teams will generate ideas, draw plans, model templates, paint, assemble, install and demonstrate their renewable energy based public art at city wide event locations. These sculptures can be used by art festivals, gardening clubs, schools and institutions to support a variety of missions.
Including sustainable technology within mobile public art results in fun, approachable tools for youth to articulate their environmental ideas and their creativity. Beyond words, these sculptures are the focus for real actions that amplify students intense desire for a sustainable planet.
Impact
What will be the impact of your idea?
We want our youth to stay, work and grow our communities. This project produces tangible evidence that innovative, youth generated ideas have prospects for financial and entrepreneurial support. It demonstrates our region is working on projects that are directly relevant to their artistic, technical and environmental aspirations. We are creating skilled leaders and the regional opportunities to employ their innovations.
This project provides for years of high visibility, multi-site symbols of Pittsburgh's artistic and technical vitality. Teams will quickly see their sculptures come to life. We can begin July, 09 and exhibit the first of the five sculptures in late August, 09.
PghGalleries.com and blog, will track all sculpture locations including sales, purchase and donation information. Requests for exhibitions and youth education team demonstrations will be scheduled.
The project impacts well beyond a 500,000 GMA audience in the first years. We see global impact as we change outdated perceptions of our city. Our art-tech mission is the first step to create a large permanent power generating sculpture that redefines Pittsburgh and public art. The flower will grow.
What will it take to launch your idea? How will you secure community support and youth participation?
We seek $25,000 to provide materials, technologies, artist fees and transport costs to design create and install five kinetic sculptures. In an event format we will donate two of the five sculptures to 501 c 3 organizations that best support the voices of youth. Periodic donations will generate community interest and philanthropic support for both our project and the recipient non profit organizations.
With a proactive marketing strategy we utilized $1,800 of self-funding to create a working "proof of concept" prototype sculpture. This is being used to inspire youth participation, secure event locations and stimulate media interest. On JUNE, 18 THE PITTSBURGH POWER FLOWER will be featured at the Pittsburgh Technology Council Art & Tech exhibit. At this event we are consolidating plans with invited educators, youth leaders and securing dates and times for project workshops.
Guests will include art and science educators, community green initiatives, civic leaders, including: Shady Side Academy, City Side Yard Program, CMU Robotics Workshops, Phipps Conservatory, Steel Valley Arts Council, Attack Theatre, Pittsburgh Tech Council and Pittsburgh Public School program leaders.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
We are looking for ideas from people who can make them happen. Tell us about yourself or your team.
We are a new team of five cross-disciplined change makers, with years of experience in engineering, education and large scale public art projects. Our team members have patents, museum purchases, historic public art commissions and have founded noted public installations such as the East End Event. We share a vision of youth generated eco solutions using art to voice the message. We can sustain and grow this project for many years with the following plan. We will donate two sculptures to 501 C-3 organizations that best express the voices of youth. The remaining three will be marketed for purchase. Profits from sales will be reinvested into a self-funded sustainable public art laboratory.
With our youth liaison we are engaging, forming teams and assessing task abilities by age, interests and enthusiasm. We have secured two idea workshop locations for design modeling and pre-fab assembly, and education meeting rooms.
Core Team:
Janine Cody MAT: ELA Curriculum Coach, Pgh. P. Schools, Youth Liaison-
M.L. Edwards: SW Engineer-
Rick Byerly: Artist, Vice Pres AAP, Marketing-
Dave Edwards: Artist, Public Art Chair Pgh. Tech Council-
Jan Van Linden: Phd., Recycling Tech. Consultant.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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