Sculpture remains a fascinating art because you never know what the artist is going to use to create masterpiece. Often the idea may fall flat, but now and then we are are privileged by being offered a completely stimulating piece of art that is not just beautiful but may also carry with it a sense of functionality.

It is often said that art for art’s sake is a mere waste of creativity. Blackpool’s newly made South Shore Promenade was in need of a piece of art and the RIBA competition held challenged designers to design two rotating wind shelters. What was born from this is a breathtaking and gigantic piece d’art. Designed in the shape of a fish fin, much like a great whale, the vane stands 8 metres high on a turntable which would turn in the direction of the prevailing wind. The vane is made from resilient ‘Duplex’ stainless steel and the turntable is 4 metres wide in diameter. Titled the ‘Rotating Shelter’, the vane would shelter people from the harsh wind and sun as well as give information of the wind direction and speed.

The Rotating Shelter is designed by Ian McChesney and the erection has already won him a Civic Trust Award. Creativity and art pays, I guess.

Via: McChesney