Form/Function

I see the dominant “Spirit of the Age” as our awareness of global warming, and the struggle to come to terms with it. The icon of this for me is the large wind turbine. Wind farms are a growing and powerful presence in our land and seascapes. The range of reactions to them fascinates me, and the proposed locations for them always seem to be highly controversial. An offshore wind-farm of 30 turbines off of Cromer has consent and should be under construction shortly. A second larger offshore wind-farm of up to 108 turbines is planned off of Salthouse; it will be visible on clear days. The formation of the wind-farm will be a symmetrical grid of turbines forming a diamond or lozenge shape 12km long. There will be strong opposition as the area is of great importance to birdlife. Four birds species have been identified as at risk from fatal bird strike with the rotors, and the effect on the wider range of bird and sea life is unpredictable. It may also affect the local fishing industry. However as the RSPB state “If global warming is not halted it will be the greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide”. Creating a greener national electricity grid is an essential part of that process.

In my recent work I have been exploring some of these issues looking at contradictions between: strong resistance to change / urgent need for change, selfishness/sacrifice, winners/losers, saints/sinners, iconic Norfolk windmills (Cley) good/wind turbines bad. I find the form of the three blade rotors beautiful and the motion mesmerising. The form and function of a rotor blade is similar to that of a bird’s wing feather and the symbolism is powerful. The iconography of the pattern of three formed by the rotor blades and the hub has a deeper significance as the sign of the Holy Trinity, the magic pre-Christian Celtic symbol of the Triskele and the anti nuclear logo of CND.