Solar Collector, in Cambridge, Ont., was commissioned by the Region of Waterloo. (Canadian Press)

A new sculpture to be unveiled soon in Cambridge, Ont., draws its energy from the sun, but emits a light composition each evening based on public input.

Called Solar Collector, the sculpture is to be launched on June 21, the summer solstice.

The creators are Rob Gorbet, Matt Gorbet and Susan Gorbet, partners in Gorbet Design, who call themselves technology artists.

The piece, commissioned by the Region of Waterloo, comprises 12 shimmering metal shafts that emerge in a curve from a grassy hill.

The poles are set at angles ideal for capturing the sun at different times of year, with the tallest shaft perpendicular to the sun at the winter solstice and the lowest facing high sun on the summer solstice.

For that reason, it's being compared with Stonehenge, the ancient monument in Britain that is also a tribute to the heavens.

"I was drawn to the piece because it is both contemporary and ancient," said Rae Crossman, director of a high school enrichment program at the University of Waterloo, who is organizing a concert to launch Solar Collector.

"With its astronomical alignment, the sculpture evokes a deep, ancient impulse that can be traced back to Neolithic man — it's a modern Stonehenge. And, as a work of art, it calls out for a celebratory response: music, dancing, poetry."

Each shaft has three solar panels and three sets of lights that will vary their pattern every night.

Website allows public choreography

The light compositions will be choreographed on an interactive website that goes online June 21.

"Since it's public art, it was important to us that the piece be accessible to the public," said Gorbet.

"Because it's set in an industrial area, we used the internet to create a collaboration with the community. People can compose in light on the web with a set of simple sliders."

Each night at dusk, there will be a performance of all the compositions collected that day, with the light show lasting only as long as the solar energy stored in batteries at the base of each shaft.

The show begins on the evening of the solstice, with a performance of works by Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer, whose music is often performed in wilderness settings. Carousel Dance Company and all-percussion group Organic Groove will also perform.

Gorbet Designs specializes in interactive art projects. Matt and Susan Gorbet are on the faculty of the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto and Rob Gorbet is a professor of mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo.

With files from the Canadian Press