Right before us is the Wind of Boston: Data Paintings. It is a site-specific artwork. The artwork transforms Boston’s invisible wind patterns into poetic data paintings. This digital canvas measures 6 feet by 13 feet. Refik Anadol Studios used one year’s worth of data from Boston Logan Airport.
The studio developed custom software. This software reads, analyzes, and visualizes wind data. Wind speed, direction, and gust patterns are tracked. Time and temperature are recorded every 20 seconds. The artwork features four dynamic chapters. Each chapter uses data to uniquely interpret the city’s environment. Painterly aesthetics bring the data to life. The invisible beauty of wind becomes visible.
Each chapter highlights a distinct characteristic of Boston’s wind. “Hidden Landscapes” emphasizes the anemometer’s radical readings. It creates immaterial, spatial experiences for all people in front of the Wind of Boston. “Porcelain Memories” recalls the intangible power of a gale. It reimagines the gale outside of time’s constraints.
“Sea Breeze” explores a paradox. Gentle wind blows from the sea to the site. This happens even in the harsh cold of winter. “Gust in the City” offers a top-view visualization. It explores high-speed winds in short bursts. It shows the constant dance between nature and the built environment. The visualizations are custom programmed. They are precisely calibrated to the LED screen. This creates spectacular depth and rich contrast. Poetic movement fills the digital canvas.
The Wind of Boston: Data Paintings is visible daily from 8 AM to 11 PM. You can view it from both inside and outside. The artwork is in the lobby of 100 Northern Avenue at Fan Pier. The Fallon Company commissioned the work. It complements the architectural design by HOK. It’s the latest addition to the Seaport District’s public art. The Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston is also nearby.
Refik Anadol served as the media artist and director. The Fallon Company included Joseph F. Fallon and Richard Martini. Studio team members included Raman K. Mustafa and Kian Khiaban. Other members were Toby Heinemann and Nick Boss. Rob Tom Browning, Bahadir Dagdelen, Yusuf Emre Kucur, and Kerim Karaoglu also contributed.
Directions In Art served as art consultants. Julie White Ratner and Joanne Brody Spielman were involved. DG Hunt & Associates, LLC handled project management. Diversified managed the technical application. Phil Fortune, Mitch Rabil, Mike Finnerty, and Brian Mckeon worked on it. Planar was the hardware provider. The soundtrack is “Door Of Our Home” by Goldmund. Kerim Karaoglu designed the sound effects. The Wind of Boston was installed on January 1, 2017.