Application: Spinning Artwork Chandelier Hoist
Customer: Walla Walla Foundry/City of Vancouver Canada
Website: Rodney Graham’s Spinning Chandelier
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Hoist Model: Columbia H10000-4A17-X-01G (qty-6)
Performance:
- Line Pull: 10,000 pounds on the first layer
- Line Speed: 10.2 feet per minute on the first layer
- Wire Rope Capacity: 477 feet x 5/8″ diameter with latching hook
- Power Source: 460 VAC / 3 Phase / 60 Hz
Special Features:
- Inverter-rated brake motor with AS7H absolute encoder
- Temperature monitoring with constant fan cooling
- Motor heater for cold weather operation
- BMH (brake heat rectifier) for enhanced brake performance
- Brake function and wear monitoring systems
- Custom grooved drum assembly for precise cable management
Why APPI:
When the City of Vancouver and Walla Walla Foundry embarked on installing Rodney Graham’s ambitious Spinning Chandelier beneath the Granville Street Bridge, they faced an extraordinary engineering challenge: creating a reliable chandelier hoist system capable of precisely maneuvering a 3.5-tonne art installation twice daily in Vancouver’s demanding outdoor environment.
The project, approved by the City in 2015 and taking more than three years to design and manufacture, required hoists that could safely handle the chandelier’s massive dimensions—eight by four metres—while providing the exact control necessary for both vertical positioning and spinning movements. The kinetic sculpture, constructed from stainless steel, LED lights, and more than 600 polyurethane crystals, needed to descend from its holding position, perform its spinning sequence, and return safely to the dark underbelly of the north viaduct twice each day. After extensive collaboration between the project team and Allied Power Products, Inc. (APPI), the solution centered around six Columbia H10000 hoists specifically configured for this unique artistic application.
Working closely with Walla Walla Foundry and city engineers, APPI and the project team jointly determined that the Columbia H10000-4A17-X-01G configuration would best meet the installation’s demanding requirements.
Key features of this collaborative chandelier hoist system solution include:
- Six synchronized Columbia H10000 hoists providing redundant lifting capacity and precise control for the fragile artwork
- Inverter-rated brake motors with absolute encoders, ensuring accurate positioning during the chandelier’s daily performance cycles
- Comprehensive monitoring systems including temperature control, brake wear detection, and motor heating to maintain reliable operation in Vancouver’s variable weather conditions
- Custom grooved drum assemblies engineered specifically for this application’s cable management requirements
This innovative hoist system enables the Spinning Chandelier to perform its scheduled rotations and vertical movements twice daily with the precision required for both artistic impact and public safety. The chandelier, suspended above the busy intersection of Beach Avenue and Granville Street and affiliated with the striking Vancouver House development, operates reliably thanks to the robust design features collaboratively developed for this unique application.
By implementing this custom Columbia chandelier hoist system, the City of Vancouver has successfully created a landmark art installation that combines artistic vision with engineering excellence. The system’s advanced monitoring and control features ensure safe, reliable operation of this spectacular public artwork.
For more information about this chandelier hoist system or any of APPI’s other specialized products and services, please contact Allied Power Products, Inc.
