MoveWithMe is a community art installation on a commercial street in Salem, MA of multiple sailcloth pinwheels that embodies the connection of cultures across waters and land from the past to now, moving in confluence when the wind is just right. Part of Salem’s annual Arts Festival in June 2016, the project was led by architect and community artist, Claudia Paraschiv, in collaboration with Salem Main Streets and the Phoenix School. Strung together on rope and hoisted above Salem’s Front Street, the pinwheels add a playful element that relates Salem’s sailing history as a trading port to its present potential plans to build offshore wind turbines, while simultaneously bringing visual interest to the community. The pinwheels utilize locally donated sailcloth, rope, and grommets, and they were created collaboratively at multiple workshops held at schools, businesses, and local organizations like the YMCA. Project participants made a total of 369 hand-colored sailcloth pinwheels. The project was initially designed for the Arts Festival when Front Street was closed to vehicular traffic, but was so well received that the community and mayor desired it stayed up as long as possible. Currently, there are several other areas in Salem that organizers of the project plan to activate by installing the pinwheels across an underused canal and promenade, as well as under the bridge by the local train station. The use of rope, instead of cables and hardware, allows for future relocation and re-use.

The project was completed using just three materials: recycled sailcloth, rope, and grommets.

From conception to implementation, the project took six months.

Including the artist’s stipend, the project cost $1,900.

Images: Claudia Paraschiv