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I guess "explaining" art is cheating, although I agree that it would be interesting to get to know more about the ideas behind the piece.

I guess (I tried some quick calculations but it's far from my field) that a bolt of lightning would happily vaporize the steel if it hit directly? On the other hand they're more massive than typical lightning rod cables seem to be, so perhaps they're able to safely conduct the current to ground without vaporizing. Anyone?

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Even if the ground connection of the rods is sufficiently low impedance to prevent electrocution of people nearby, the noise is going to be loud enough to cause hearing damage.

I wouldn't chance it. Rather be near something less conductive when lightning strikes..

Yeah, I always like to be the most conductive thing around in a lightning storm. Keeps life exciting. Doesn't resistance translate to heat and explosions? Besides, one in 7 million and all.

https://xkcd.com/795/

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