Waterforce 1991
Waterforce - 1991
Adrian was commissioned to celebrate the return of Quarry Bank Mill, an ancient textile mill, to full water-powered production after the renovation of its iconic waterwheel. He worked with staff, volunteers, in-house engineers and local historians to develop an entertaining interactive water sculpture.
He also organised a series of workshops in a temporary pool outside the mill, in which visiting children could test out their water sculptures made from recycled household packaging.
When you pull the chain, 40 gallons of water are flushed through the artwork, activating allsorts of mechanical movement and forming the letters of ‘Waterforce’. The water is then pumped back up to the tank for next time.
The piece was opened by Princess Anne in 1991 and she was most concerned that Adrian had used his young son’s wellies in the sculpture, insisting that he was bought a new pair!
Site:
Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Rd, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4LA
Size:
4 m wide
Materials:
Galvanized sheet steel, copper pipe, tempered glass, found objects, wellington boots, handpull beer pumps, plastic tubing and fittings, BMX wheel, enamelled crockery, aluminium teapot, plastic ducks
Date:
September 1991