![]() ![]() Louis, the Golden Gate Bridge, the murals in Los Angeles," she said of magnetic icons. ![]() Only after the whole thing gets up and running will viewers be able to finally decide if they actually love or hate the mildly controversial project.Įaston says Corson's idea was chosen because the city is drawn to public art that helps San Jose stand out. According to electrician and project manager SteveGuyton one thick, slab of overhead concrete did not contain the required amount of voltage.īy Thursday, however, some adjustments had been made to move some needed power and the entire ceiling seemed ready for what is expected to be a gargantuan gathering of gawkers. Late on Wednesday evening, only three of the four overpass sections were lit with LEDs, a situation that would ruin the entire presentation. With the grand opening slated for Friday, Corson spent the last few weeks intensely tackling and hopefully solving a number of nagging, last-minute problems ranging from graffiti attacks to electrical shortcomings. This whole project is done with fiber optics transmitting the data from each fixtures to another." "It has transformed how we see light nowadays and that is very exciting. To Corson the blue circles are "auras" or "halos" - perfect partners in his "celebration" of the advent of LED technology. Then, grinning slyly, he said, "I am both a diva and thick-skinned." Personally I'd prefer triangles."Ĭorson, 51, a Seattle-based, public artist for more than 20 years, comically seethes when he warns, "don't call them blue doughnuts." Public artists can't be "divas," he explained and they also need to be tough-minded. ![]() "I say those round, blue things are just ugly as hell. "I can't decide if they're doughnuts or tires," said Ames, who also complained about the constant presence of machinery that have been making his speedy, scooter passages more tricky. "I ride through here every day," groused Mike Ames, zooming on a handicap scooter under the looming freeway, "and I have to see nothing but endless, blue circles."Īmes was referring to what looks like dozens upon dozens of floating, huge, blue doughnuts, painted on the underside ceiling and concrete pillars, making amateur art critics pout for months. "Sensing You" is really a visual representation of high tech connections," said Corson," that surround us in Silicon Valley."įor months, the prep work accompanying the public art has been the subject of reactions ranging from giddy anticipation to absolute abhorrence. "We got together with people in business, art, architecture and design to think about how art might change our downtown," said Jennifer Easton, San Jose's director of public art, "and light - both daytime and night - came to mind."Įaston said the Santa Clara Street "gateway became a focal point as the place to make people feel safe and excited about coming into town." Soon, another connection will be made to the lights through the use of cellphones that will make the underside of the Guadalupe Freeway boogie in an entirely different way. The newer works, financed by a $600,000 grant from ArtPlace America, are part of an ongoing effort to use art to make the city more presentable, interesting and inviting. Both projects are part of a city inspiration called "Illuminating Downtown," and on Friday, a number of light demonstrations will be open to the public. ![]()
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