Abstract
In January 2017, a large wind turbine blade was installed temporarily in a city square as a public artwork. At first sight, media photographs of the installation appeared to be fakes – the blade looks like it could not really be part of the scene. Close inspection of the object shows that its paradoxical visual appearance can be attributed to unconscious assumptions about object shape and light source direction.
Highlights
In January 2017, wind turbine manufacturer Siemens installed one of its B75 turbine blades in Victoria Square, Hull, to mark the start of the city’s year as UK City of Culture
The Blade certainly creates a striking visual impression, a metaphorical poke in the eye. Some of this impact must come from its massive scale and its lightness and smoothness, with some specularities, so incongruous against the textures and colours of the ornate Victorian architecture of the square
One commented that ‘‘It looks like a big tooth
Summary
In January 2017, wind turbine manufacturer Siemens installed one of its B75 turbine blades in Victoria Square, Hull, to mark the start of the city’s year as UK City of Culture. The Blade certainly creates a striking visual impression, a metaphorical poke in the eye. The blade appears to be a cylindrical object, strangely out-of-keeping with the Corresponding author: George Mather, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
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