Coastline (sculpture)

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Coastline
Artist Jim Sanborn
Year1993 (1993)
TypeOutdoor sculpture
Dimensions1.8 m× 9.1 m× 23 m(6 ft× 30 ft× 75 ft)
Location Silver Spring, Maryland
Coordinates 38°59′29″N77°01′47″W / 38.991452°N 77.029715°W / 38.991452; -77.029715 (Coastline (sculpture))

Coastline is an outdoor sculpture by American artist Jim Sanborn installed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration complex in Silver Spring, Maryland. [1]

Coastline attempts to recreate the effect of waves crashing on the Atlantic coast (represented by rough-cut granite). [2] This is achieved with artificial waves generated by a turbine and pneumatic blower underneath the sculpture. The wave frequency is controlled by a remote tide gauge in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, that sends actual wave heights to the sculpture's control mechanism in real time. [3] Sanborn built a quarter-size scale model of the sculpture and consulted with a wave engineer while doing research for the project. [2]

References

  1. ↑ Forgey, Benjamin (November 20, 1993). "A hand, a wave, a winner; Sculptures bring out the best at NOAA complex". Washington Post. Section B, p. 1.
  2. 1 2 Shaw-Eagle, Joanna (June 1, 1997). "Artist sheds new light on sculpture". Washington Times. Part D, p. 1.
  3. ↑ Dunin, Elonka. "Sanborn's Coastline Sculpture" . Retrieved February 8, 2011.
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