As our time in Downtown Halifax draws to a close, I’d like to share one of my favorite spots in the city. It’s an enormous, interactive kinetic sculpture called Tidal Beacon. Located on Queen’s Marque, the stunning 60-foot-high, stainless-steel tower is impossible to miss!
I’ve visited and captured Tidal Beacon a number of times so this post is heavy on photos and light on story. That’s also because I’ve been busy digging my way out from under a mountain of moving boxes this week. See Hello Sunrise Trail Nova Scotia! for the reason why.
Shown below is Tidal Beacon viewed from the harbour ferry…
… and from the wharf at Queen’s Marque.
Tidal Beacon was created by Ned Kahn, an internationally-recognized artist and sculptor, who bridges art and science to replicate the forces of nature in his work.
“Tidal Beacon is a reflection of the natural forces all around us. Using light to represent tidal levels and kinetic flappers to make visible complex wind patterns, Tidal Beacon connects us to the invisible forces that shape our world, while taking inspiration from our seafaring history. It is a Beacon guiding us home.” states the artwork plaque.
There are many things to love about Tidal Beacon. A series of shallow steps entices visitors to approach the tower for a closer look. Their effort is rewarded with splendid views of the harbour and surrounding area.
The tower itself is clad in an elaborate shell of polycarbonate flappers which move with the wind. The result is a stunning and dynamic multi-sensory display ― the flappers swing, flip, sway, hum and ping.
But the kinetic flappers and their wind-driven display are only part of Tidal Beacon’s magic. The other part ― the Tidal Beacon’s crowning glory ― is an elaborate, innovative light display.
GLLS, specialists in the artistry of lighting, was one of the organizations involved in bringing Tidal Beacon to life. On their website they explain “Tidal Beacon transforms based on tides, weather, and the surrounding environment. Our … LED Strip Lighting creates an event called ‘Lunar Crest’. The event is an eight-minute crescendo of shimmering lights followed by a two-minute ‘Beacon Turn,’ which transforms the sculpture into a rotating light.”
The fascinating thing about the Lunar Crest and Beacon Turn lighting events is they are synchronized with the tides! “Tidal Beacon is transformational, responding to tides, weather and surrounding environment. Light rises and falls within the structure, culminating in a 12-minute event at high and low tides” explains the Heavy website. Heavy was the firm chosen to “curate, develop and build the signature art piece”.
I observed the ever-changing nature of Tidal Beacon for weeks without ever discerning the pattern. The Tidal Beacon tower may be impossible to miss but the subtleties of this dynamic structure are not!
Clear Control, an organization that brought their expertise in custom LED lighting solutions to the project, shares this eloquent summary on their website: “Serving as both an environmental artwork and a tide clock, the Tidal Beacon makes Halifax’s strong connection to the sea visible and tangible.”
More Info
Previous blog posts mentioned in this blog post include:
. Hello Sunrise Trail Nova Scotia!
To learn more about Halifax, Nova Scotia check out these recent blog posts:
. The Real Big Harbour
. In a View-Framing Frame of Mind
The following resources were consulted in the writing of this blog post:
. Ned Kahn website
. Downtown Halifax Region article on Discover Halifax website
. Queen’s Marquee website
. Showcase Projects / Tidal Beacon article on GLLS website
. Tidal Beacon: A Kinetic Tribute to Halifax’s Maritime Heritage article on Clear Control website
. Kinetic Marvel Welcomes Visitors with Changing Tide article on Heavy website.
Today’s Takeaways
1. Tidal Beacon is a 60-foot-high, interactive, kinetic sculpture located on the waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
2. “The sculpture captures the essence of Halifax’s vibrant and bustling cityscape, with its flowing tides, maritime architecture, and deep natural beauty.” GLLS website
3. Art making and storytelling go hand in hand. Consider discovering the story behind artwork which appeals to you.
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