The Big Drink by Vert Design

Simone Brandse and Justin Drape came up with the idea of installing a massive drinking straw in the waters of Bondi Beach at the Sculpture by the sea exhibition in order to show the complex situation Australias being an island surrounded by water but not having enough water to drink. Vert Design helped to engineer, produce and launch the 10,5 meter high steel and PVC construction in the ocean. Due to the unexpectedly rough sea it took 3 attempts to launch it. With the help of a helicopter finally the straw could be anchored safely in its position. The straw weighting itself 400kg is fixed in a 715kg steel construction using a balast of 4 tons to keep it in place.

http://www.vertdesign.com.au/index.php?/pieces/the-big-drink/