SolarGizmo

The artist Richard Box has produced some wonderful pieces of art over the years and some of his masterpieces include The Field of Light, Neon Brains and a Pine Tree. What makes these pieces of art unique is that they are entirely powered by the emissions from overhead power cables (basically using the waste electricity generated by the national grid and turning it into usable light). The best time to enjoy these works is at night when the light produced by the fluorescent tubes can be seen at its best.

“A fluorescent tube glows when an electrical voltage is set up across it. The electric field set up inside the tube excites atoms of mercury gas, making them emit ultraviolet light. This invisible light strikes the phosphor coating on the glass tube, making it glow. Because powerlines are typically 400,000 volts, and Earth is at an electrical potential voltage of zero volts, pylons create electric fields between the cables they carry and the ground.” (Source Ian Sample: The Guardian newspaper)

For more information and contact details for the artist please visit www.richardbox.com

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