Energy Flow is a public art display by Andrea Polli and Ron Gdovic of WindStax, a Pittsburgh-based turbine manufacturer. We understand that of all the places in Pittsburgh a bridge named for Rachel Carson, an environmentalist who was decades ahead of her time, was the most appropriate. The installation of more than 27,000 multicolored LED lights hang from the bridge’s suspension cables. The lights correspond to the direction and speed of the wind. The power for the lights is supplied by 16 wind turbines attached to the arches of the bridge.

The Rachel Carson Bridge is very close to our apartment in Pittsburgh and in the evening we can sit on our couch, look out the window and see the graceful yellow suspension bridge reflecting the evening light. Now imagine that calm, relaxing sight dressed up in all those multicolored lights flashing and dancing in the distance. I, in my 100% personal opinion, find it a bit obnoxious. Amanda thinks it’s kind of fun; she crosses the bridge on her walk home.

I understand it is for a limited time and they want to make a point about renewable energy. I would just make that point in a less gaudy way. We leave you this short video to make up your own mind about this unique art installation. The video doesn’t really do justice to the brightness of the lights or how flashy it looks.