Cycladic windmills

When the wind of change blows, some build walls - in the Cyclades they build windmills

The Cyclades are an island group in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece and one of the island groups that constitute the Aegean archipelago.

The use of windmills in the Cyclades was extensive because of the rich wind resources of the region, especially northern winds known as “meltemi”. Windmills harnessed this free resource to grind local agricultural yields, mostly wheat and barley. They provided food for the islanders as well as the ships crossing the Mediterranean on their way to Venice. Put simply: no windmills, no sea trade.

My fascination with Cycladic windmills led me to choose this as the topic for my first Ceramics Level 3 project on the subject of "man-made structures". I am not normally happy to use terms that refer to "man" when gender is of no importance but, in this case, I start from the understanding that most structures that define our space as human societies are indeed related to gender. Windmills are a "man-made" structure.

I am fascinated by what they do, where they are situated and what they look like.

They use renewable, free wind power, "meltemi power".

They are found on top of hills, usually in small clusters, easily accessible to the island's port. Any ship approaching the island, sees the windmills first.

The Cycladic windmill shape is simple but there is more to it than simple geometrical shapes and pure white good looks. There is a whole technological leap behind their simple design.

The triggers of inspiration for my project are: clusters, strong Northern winds, straw hats, pure white, positive and negative space created by the blades. A static, geometrical form has become in my eyes a structure full of movement and tension.

Old abandoned brickwork windmill - small window and door

Refurbished windmill with restored blades - used as a holiday let