“Windlord” is one of Lansing’s most iconic pieces of public art. It could be moving soon, if the funds are available.Perched on a bluff at Adado Riverfront Park, the “Windlord” sculpture is a deft fusion of realistic and abstract forms. Photo by Lawrence Cosentino for City Pulse Engineers estimate that the bronze eagle will last at least another 150 years, but “Windlord’s” 6.5-ton concrete base is starting to crumble after 50 years of Michigan weather. The signature of sculptor Martin Eichinger can be seen at upper left. Photo by Lawrence Cosentino for City Pulse A new pedestal for “Windlord” in the median of Michigan Avenue between the Frandor Shopping Center and the Red Cedar development awaits the sculpture’s arrival once enough money is raised to move it and restore its crumbling base. Photo by Lawrence Cosentino for City Pulse Eichinger recently retired from heavy bronze casting but still creates art from epoxy resin, inspired by scientific themes and images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Courtesy photo The four points of the compass are inscribed at the base of the sculpture, reflecting the original plan to place it in a traffic circle downtown. Photo by Lawrence Cosentino for City Pulse Eichinger (left) and Bergeron give the bird a bath in their rented studio, now part of Impression 5 Science Center. Photo by Joan SteiberEichinger (left), Bergeron (center) and a helper look for the right balance point before hoisting the bird onto the concrete base. Photo by Joan Steiber Jack Bergeron came up with an ultra-low-tech solution when Eichinger wanted more texture on the surface of the bird: “I took a pebble and rolled it around the whole thing,” he said. Photo by Lawrence Cosentino for City Pulse Bergeron coats the plaster model with rubber resin to create a detailed mold that will later be filled with wax. Photo by Joan Steiber Working from a small-scale model (lower right), sculptor Jack Bergeron (pictured) and Eichinger built a framework for a full-size metal and plaster sculpture. Photo by Joan Steiber
