Siemens, together with multimedia artist Michael Pendry, has lighted up the world’s biggest revolving Christmas star. The lighting installation can be seen throughout December at the northern gateway to Munich – beginning at dusk every evening.
The Siemens Superstar is a pioneering technological project and an important symbol for the Global Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Munich has a new landmark for the Christmas season. It stands for renewable energies and energy efficiency which are also important issues for Munich, said Munich’s Mayor Christian Ude.
“The Siemens Superstar is a pioneering technological project and an important symbol for the Global Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Green innovations are lighting our way to a better future,” said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher.
Siemens developed and completed the unique and pioneering technological project together with Munich multimedia artist Michael Pendry over the past twelve months. The lighting installation consists of 9,000 Siemens Osram light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are as bright as around 20,000 Christmas candles. Yet the entire installation uses only as much electricity as a hair dryer or a water kettle. In good weather, the art object can be seen for 30 kilometers. The span of the world’s biggest revolving Christmas star is nearly 70 meters – as wide as a soccer field.
Nearly 400 meters of power cables were laid for installation – a length that would reach over the top of the Eiffel Tower. The lighting installation adds 100 kilos to each rotor blade. The LEDs are fastened to the wind turbine blades with superglue used in space as under windy conditions, the LEDs are subject to forces up to 20 G, or more than three times the g-force experienced by an astronaut during a rocket launch. TÜV SÜD – the technical service corporation responsible for inspecting and testing technical installations – gave its final approval for the installation.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 410,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, designer and freelance artist Michael Peter Pendry has worked in design studios in both in Munich and London. In 2002, he teamed up with Thomas Halbig to establish Zeitraum, a design and interior architecture firm. In 2009, he founded the Pentry Artlab GmbH, a creative multimedia, design and light laboratory and atelier that aims to foster dialogue between the art world and the business community.
