A wind-powered object of reflection

Zephyros is a wind-activated sculpture in the form of a helix composed of reflective panels braided around a tall mast. A unique, tapered spiral, set in the landscape at the Palega Recreation Center in San Francisco’s Portola neighborhood, gently spins at varying speeds, revealing wind patterns that may be unnoticed at ground level. The reflective stainless steel panels capture light and mirror the activity in the park and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Zephyros is both an environmental art piece that captures and reveals wind patterns, and a social sculpture that literally reflects the park and the neighborhood. Looking at the piece from below, the visitor sees her own refracted image, but also the neighborhood and sky in an ascending collage high above. The movement in the sky will be made visible on the ground as the sun casts dynamic, undulating shadows across the landscape. Zephyros is a permanent public artwork commissioned for the park by the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Watch a video clip of Zephyros activated by the wind!

Zephyros is a Rebar project.