Wind in the Wheelos
Last year it was Wheelie Windy. This year the Village Bike people have done it again with another wonderful installation for the Swell Sculpture Festival.
This time it’s Wind in the Wheelos!
Out riding this morning, I detoured along the Currumbin beachfront for a preview of what’s on the canvas for this year’s festival. Each year, about fifty sculptures take up residence on Currumbin Beach and along its esplanade for a 10 day festival of inspiration.
But I wasn’t just randomly wandering. I was on a mission.
I’d heard a whisper there was an entry made of bicycle parts. Exhibit No.42 to be precise. I knew no more.
So I roamed my eyes as I rode along the esplanade, stretched them to the beach and then I saw it! Wind in the Wheelos spinning with the south-easterly breeze. The sculpture is made mostly from bicycles bits and usefully works as a weather vane. It’s a combination of engineering, creativity and a good dose of fun.
You see, if you look closely (if you can without getting dizzy 🙂 ) you’ll notice some small toys perched on the bicycle sculpture. If you know of the children’s novel ‘Wind in the Willows’, you’ll recognise them.
Word has it that Plush Toad, Mole and Badger flew in from the UK especially to appear on Wind in the Wheelos.
Here’s how it looks in action…
(‘Wind in the Willows’ was written by Kenneth Grahame and first published in 1908.)
Thanks to Rob Harcourt, Imagineer and Village Bike bloke, for his contribution to this story. Find out more about the inspiring work being done by Village Bike by clicking here.
a bike for all seasons 
Creative and great fun… must be inspiring for you,Gail, to be a participant! Wonderful and interesting post. 🙂
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Thanks Iris. Every year it’s always very exciting to see the Swell exhibition emerge over the few days of its setting up and then everyone interacting with and talking about the exhibits. Much enjoyed! 🙂
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Very cool and creative!
Gives another spin (pun intended) to John Lennon’s song that goes, “I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go ’round and ’round…”. I love to watch them roll, too! 😊
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😀 I like that one Dayna. That’s pretty much how it was filming them … sort of difficult to know when to stop. That’s the perfect song for it. Love the pun too 😀
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just love this. thank you so much for sharing as I cannot be there in person.
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My pleasure Brenda. We’re very lucky that our blogs make it possible to give each other a peek into our different worlds on the opposite side of the planet. Thanks! 🙂
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Hello Gail I was thinking of you when I heard it was that time of year again. Thank you for sharing this great (and practical) sculpture. Jen
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Yes, this sculpture had a few minds applied to it, including one that is an engineer. It’s a wonderful selection of sculptures this year Jen. Thanks for thinking of me. 🙂
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🙂
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I have to proudly declare my friend Karolyn, as the creator of the cool name for the sculpture. She also suggested the inclusion of the characters from Wind in The Willows. Terrific video clip too Gail.
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Thanks Robyn, the name is so clever and the little characters make the installation delightfully quirky. When I ran into Rob at the festival, he said the title was Karolyn’s idea. It was lovely to hear the back story to the sculpture – just wonderful! 🙂
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I’m looking forward to seeing it Gail.
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Hi Gail, Sculpture lends itself so well to public spaces. People can enjoy the works as they go about their regular activities or make the sculptures a destination. Public art gives a place a special buzz. It seems locals enjoy the Swell Sculpture Festival.
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Hi Margaret, you’ve described that so well. The art becomes more accessible to a wider range of people and that’s a wonderful thing. “A special buzz” definitely is the feeling 🙂
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