Articulated Cloud by Ned Kahn

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Ned Kahn is a California artist that specializes in combining art and science.  He uses the natural elements of earth, wind, water, and fire to create moving, almost living sculptures.  We have two of his pieces right across from each other.  One works with wind and the other is an interactive piece using wind and water.  More of his work is inside the Children's Museum.

The Children’s Museum has done a lot to promote art throughout the Northside neighborhoods. Their Charm Bracelet Project reaches up into Spring Hill and down to the Northshore.  Surrounding the actual museum though, there is a tremendous concentration of artwork – both old and new.   In the parking lot they have salvaged bits of wonderful architecture from some of the area’s old buildings.   Part of the museum is located in the historic Old Post Office with the beautiful dome.  At the same time they have commissioned very new, modern, interactive sculptures all around. One of those sculptures happens to be integrated into another of the buildings making up the museum.

If you aren’t paying attention you might not realize that the structure above the entrance is encased in a work of art. If you don’t pause and look up you might miss the small panels fluctuating in the breeze.

The facade of the building, done in collaboration with the architect (Koning/Eizenberg), is an aluminum frame with thousands of translucent, white plastic squares that move with the wind.  According to the artist's website, “the artwork is intended to suggest that the building has been enveloped by a digitized cloud”, making the wind visible.  The optical qualities of the material make the appearance change in different lighting and weather conditions.





This is Articulated Cloud by Ned Kahn. 43,000 small, hinged, polycarbonate panels are attached to a steel frame so that they can each move individually with the wind.

 


The effect can be quite subtle, requiring your attention to even notice the movement.


This is one of several sculptures surrounding the Children’s Museum that use wind to come to life. Next time you’re there, make sure you take a minute to look around outside the buildings and catch the artwork in motion.