Internet Weathervane

I built this weathervane to transmit environmental data across the web. It just spends its life gently swinging in the breeze, aimlessly broadcasting the information that it collects....day in....day out

I made this little gizmo to sit at the bottom of the weathervane. Its responsible for converting the kinetic/wind direction data into a digital signal ready for broadcast. Its quite a beautiful little object really.

Just started making the whirligigs....

In keeping with true folk art methods, I'm making the automata from reclaimed wood and found materials. This propeller (above) is made from scrap wood that I found lying about in our Fine Art Dept. at Huddersfield Uni - I love the blade on the left MMmmmmm

Mock-up of the installation

Rough sketch of installation in the gallery space. The automata are placed upon plinths and all move in synchronisation. The audience are free to walk through and between the works (but must be careful not to trip over the wires!!)

Video of digital telepresence project

Data collected from outside (in my garden) is send to a computer which controls the speed of a digital whirligig. I'm not planning to exhibit the digital work, I'm going to build the models (which will be influenced by early American Folk Art) and use a micro-controller to command motors which will allow the whirligigs sway in the 'telepresent wind' that blows through the gallery ...more on this to follow...