Clear Orb Combines Minimalist Art and Sustainability
Clear Orb is an amazing-looking art project designed by the South Korean Heerim Architects. The Clear orb looks from afar like it’s floating in mid-air right above the water’s surface. Located off the coast of Santa Monica, the Clear Orb is made out of translucent glass, wit its lower half acting like a mirror, both inside and outside.
But even though it looks like it, this is not just for aesthetic reasons. The project is, in fact, a finalist of the Land Art Generator Initiative’s biennial contest for works of public art which also promote a sustainable living and generation of green energy. Because of California’s water shortage, this year’s competition focused on bringing drinking water as well as green electricity to areas which are struggling.
The Clear Orb works by having the top of the sphere made out of solar contractors which provide power to the whole installation to pump sea water inside. Once in there the water starts to evaporate creating thus distilled, drinkable water. This water is then released in a fountain at the base of the structure. The 300-meter long “contemplation walk” also provides electricity to the local power grid by making use of an oscillating power plant. The inner walls of the walk show a list of extinct animals in order to encourage people to be more considerate about nature and to take an active interest in their own well-being as well as the environment.
With state of the art techology, as well as eye-catching, the Clar Orb can provide the city with over half a million of gallons of fresh water every year, and not to mention the fact that it delights the city’s inhabitants with its simplistic yet sophisticated look. It also reminds its visitors that we’re part of the world which we live in and we should take care of it as such.
