Rain Cloud
Michael Jantzen
© 2015
www.archinect.com/michael-jantzen/projects
The Rain Cloud is a conceptual public art gathering place installation that was inspired by the science of complexity theory. It’s form and function are a direct result of observations into the ways in which seemingly unrelated events can be brought together in unexpected ways, to form unexpected and intriguing levels of observable complexity.
The upper portion of the four sided Rain Cloud structure is divided into four large sections stacked one on top of the other. A graphic of a large thundercloud is applied to each of the four sides. Wind catching flaps have been attached to the corners of each of the four sections. These enable each of them to rotate independently whenever the wind blows hard enough. They all rotate on wheels and a track that is attached to a large tank mounted at the center of the Rain Cloud structure. The tank is used to collect and store rainwater, which is funneled into it from the rain-gathering roof. The roof is also equipped with a large array of solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is used to pump the water, and to light the structure at night. The entire structure is mounted to a large concrete base. A single picnic table is attached to the center of the concrete base, under the Rain Cloud structure.
Whenever the wind randomly blows the four-stacked sections into alignment so that the graphic of the thundercloud appears as a whole on all four sides of the structure, some of the stored rainwater is released down on top of the picnic table and concrete base. Any excess water or electricity is used by the community in which the Rain Cloud is installed.
Status: Unbuilt
