News · Public art
“Freiläufer”: a wind-powered water pump as an artwork in Zurich
An 18-metre PE wind-powered water pump, commissioned as an official public art project by the art collection of the Canton of Zurich.
Reference project, Switzerland
A public art commission for the Canton of Zurich art collection
On the grounds of Kantonsschule Wiedikon in Zurich, an 18-metre PE wind-powered water pump stands as a readymade sculpture. The artist Jan Vorisek had it installed under the title “Freiläufer” (2024), commissioned by the Kunstsammlung des Kantons Zürich (the canton's art collection) together with the Hochbauamt (the cantonal building authority), finished in a striking RAL 2004 orange.
The project is a compelling demonstration of just how much load our lattice towers and wind wheels can carry, and how storm-proof they are: robust enough to stand permanently in a public space as a design object.