H2O
H2O
- Creator: Patrick Zentz
- Date: 2009
- Location: Boise WaterShed
- Types: sculpture (visual work), kinetic (style)
- Materials: aluminum (metal)
- Collection: Site-Based Works, Public Works Public Art
These three outdoor kinetic sculptures react to the immediate environment—specifically the wind. The components of the sculptures are derived from the chemical symbol for water, which is H₂O. Each arm of the sculpture revolves around a central "O." The wind causes the kinetic top of the sculpture to pivot on the “O” while the "H's" function like Savonius wind turbines and spin in response to varying wind speeds. Look carefully and notice the 8-foot-tall pedestals of each sculpture consist of a stack of aluminum snowflakes, symbolic of the frozen state of water. A related artwork titled “Wind Translator” is located inside the Boise Watershed lobby. Wind Translator produces drumming sounds relative to the wind direction. While “H2O” creates a real-time visual representation of the wind. Together the two artworks interpret wind both visually and with sound but are not otherwise connected.
