Water and wind built Salem. Water carried the fishermen in their boats to the shores of Salem to settle. Wind enabled Salem’s merchant ships to sail across the ocean. From these ships treasures and trade were brought and sold at Town Hall, building a seaside village into a city. TradeWind was conceived as a series of pavilions which both honor and celebrate the role that these elements and Town Hall have played in the growth of the city, creating a dynamic installation of spinning houses, combined to form the shape of Salem Town Hall. 

Tradewind was built after a shortlist selection from a regional request for proposals by the Salem Public Design Commission for the annual Salem Arts Festival held at the end of the summer months into the early autumn. The pavilions provided an urbanistic role as a series of breadcrumbs to encourage pedestrians to move between and among the historic buildings of the community to learn about the economic heritage of the town.

These individual houses are made in two colors: Cyan and Yellow, Invoking the exotic waters of far-flung lands that provided importers with treasures and spices – such as jewelry and saffron – referenced in the yellow houses. Additionally, a magenta wave is painted on the field of poles through a process of projective mapping.

Together the use, of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and White, serve as a reminder of the collective that is made up of its constituent parts much like the colors of the spectrum are combined from the four print colors of CMYK.

These individual houses are made in two colors: Cyan and Yellow, Invoking the exotic waters of far-flung lands that provided importers with treasures and spices – such as jewelry and saffron – referenced in the yellow houses. Additionally, a magenta wave is painted on the field of poles through a process of projective mapping. Together the use, of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and White, serve as a reminder of the collective that is made up of its constituent parts much like the colors of the spectrum are combined from the four print colors of CMYK.

This hidden wave is revealed from specific vantage points when the individual house-shaped pinwheels are in full motion, calling to attention the cinematic quality of motion and the opportunities to hide and inscribe motion with meaningful signs and culturally imagery much like the 18th century child’s toy of the thaumatrope.