​​​​​​​​​​​Arizona Science Center

SunCatchers​​


ARTIST:   Bill & Mary Buchen
DATE:   1997​
LOCATION:  NW corner of 7th and Washington streets​
TYPE:   Sculpture
MATERIALS: Steel & Holographic Glass   
BUDGET:   $125,000
DISTRICT:   8
ZIP CODE:   85004​


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This series of five SunCatchers are giant musical sculptures that create shimmering rainbow colors and ringing harmonics as they spin in the wind. Mounted on poles, the kinetic sculptures include a propeller, a triangular vane of dichroic glass, and a mallet that rings a tone bar whenever the wind blows.


According to the artists, “The experience is like moving through a sound field.  Each station spins out one note of a musical scale, generating a melodic ambiance as a counterpoint to urban drone." Each SunCatcher station is tuned to a pentatonic scale, and creates harmonic overtones in all directions.