Sailing the Tide is a tide-activated artwork concept for Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Inspired by the natural energy of the maritime environment and the ships that sail it, Sailing the Tide proposes two giant sails at the entrance to the harbour.

Approximately 20 metres in height, the sails are attached to the two jetties that define Viaduct harbour. The sails are in a continual process of transformation as they rise and lower with the tide. As the tide rises, the sails lower and as the tide falls, they rise. The artwork announces the position of the tide and translates wave action through the mast and sails.

At night, lights reflect the dancing action of the waves onto the sails transforming them into kinetically illuminated screens.