“We, the Winds” is an itinerant artistic installation composed of 9 containers.
8 totems, 40 foot containers placed vertically on their back sides, incorporate the winds of the world, continents and subcontinents: North America, Central America and Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Oceania. The 9th central totem suspended in the air will distribute local wind in real time.
On the entrance facades of these eight containers are the names of the winds, both evocative and poetic, well known or not: Alizé, Chinook, Harmattan, Kona, Mistral, Shamal, Sirocco, Squamish and others. Each of these 8 containers feature a kinetic design created by the artist Dino Ahmad Ali. This creation is part of “Interactive Colors”, a collection of interactive optical illusion artworks. The totem facade will change color and appearance as the spectator moves.
In these 8 spaces, fans simulate the physical feeling of these winds. Their sound recordings will be broadcast by speakers embedded in the acoustic interior walls. The 8 wind boxes have doors that are positioned on the upper facades: raised towards the sky when storm winds are raging and closed when gentle breezes are blowing (intermediate positions according to the wind intensity: light, moderate, strong, windy, stormy).
The central chrome container, also 40 feet long, is suspended 10 feet from the ground with 8 air vents that direct the wind into a tubular system that distributes sound in real time in 12 pavilions (different heights for adults and children). The central chrome container, inverted organ, can either diffuse or amplify the wind in real time or produce unique musical sounds.
This art installation consists of 11 40 foot containers: 9 for the artwork and 2 for the logistics. One as a storage and transport space for the structural parts of the entire installation (materials, electrical and acoustic equipment). The second container as a Tiny House will serve as an office and rest station for the team working on the installation, maintenance and dismantling of “We, the Winds”.
Trucks will transport these containers from site to site, and cranes will be rented locally for installation and removal.
As an initial consideration, for a “Winds Tour“, the following emblematic festivals are envisioned where visual art will play an important role (refer to WW Tour, pages 20 and 21).
Claude Yacoub & Nivine Ibeche, Architects
with the collaboration of Salah Hreeb, Architect & Dino Ahmad Ali, Artist
Houston, October 2022
INTERACTIVE COLORS
The aesthetics of the containers are the creation of Dino Ahmad Ali.
This kinetic design originates from artistic works – Interactive Colors – which Dino has been experimenting for over fifteen years with an emphasis on optical illusions.
The three primary colors (blue, red and yellow) embellished with black and white, forms a set of horizontal lines, modeled on wave motion on the container walls (longitudinal facades and roofs).
This creates a visual and dynamic interactive relationship between the colors and limits of eye capacity.
The spectrum of colors varies according to the point of view and the movement of the spectator.
The eye captures ” appearance ” of non-existent colors (visually present, materially absent).
The interaction of the spectator-receiver with this colorimetric creation is an essential part of this moving visual creation, as paintings fluctuating in the wind.
Polyester and vinyl on Plexiglas, 100×50 cm, 2021
SOUNDS OF THE WINDS
8 totems, 40 foot containers placed vertically on their back sides, incorporate the winds of the world, continents and subcontinents: North America, Central America and Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Oceania.
Some sounds of winds in the world!
The 9th central totem suspended in the air will distribute local wind in real time.
The central chrome container, also 40 feet long, is suspended 10 feet from the ground with 8 air vents that direct the wind into a tubular system that distributes sound in real time in 12 pavilions (different heights for adults and children).
The central chrome container, inverted organ, can either diffuse or amplify the wind in real time or produce unique musical sounds.
WE WINDS TOUR
View and Download the We, the Winds Booklet (PDF – 32 pages – 4,9 Mo)
