Wind Leaves

Wind Leaves is an art installation of seven aluminum and stainless steel structures along Milwaukee's waterfront near Discovery World. The pieces stand about 30 feet tall and are covered with thousands of small metal disks that create rippling wave patterns.

The artwork was designed by artist Ned Kahn in 2006 through a major donation. The project was first planned for Veterans Park before being moved to its current waterfront location.

The structures invite visitors to create sounds using surrounding benches that work like xylophones and metal nails that catch falling pebbles. This interactive element transforms the work into a shared experience between people and the natural world.

Visitors can rotate the structures using hand wheels on support columns, causing the metal disks to shift and change patterns. The pieces also respond to wind gusts, creating different visual effects depending on weather and time of day.

The surface is covered with thousands of small disks that resemble fish scales and create a hypnotic shimmering wave effect when moved. This optical effect makes the artwork look different with each visit depending on wind strength and how often visitors turn the hand wheels.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 2006

Creator: Ned Kahn

Made from material: aluminium, stainless steel

GPS coordinates: 43.03700,-87.89770

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:20