Client: Campos Verdes, LLC
Location: Irvine, CA, United States
Completion date: 2018
Artwork budget: $200,000
Project Team
Artist
Joe O'Connell
Creative Machines
Design and Fabrication
Creative Machines
Creative Machines
Art Consultant
Betsy Lane
Betsy Lane Art
Overview
Elements is a stainless steel teardrop sculpture composed of bands with the word “elements” in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, Hindi, German, French, and Vietnamese.
Goals
The piece is a operates as an awe-inspiring placemaking work for Elements Luxury Apartments in Irvine, CA. The sculpture operates at a distance as a monumental form but also rewards close scrutiny over many visits thereby maximizing the potential for interaction and discovery. The simple geometry and gentle curve of the teardrop offers an organic contrast to the surrounding architecture.
Process
The curving bands in the sculpture are water jet cut, hammer formed and welded together to create a three-dimensional lantern. The interior of the sphere is powder coated blue (RAL 5015) adding subtle color and visual interest during the day. At night, intense point-source LED lighting brilliantly illuminates the sculpture and projects intricate and colorful shadows. The lighting brings the sculpture to life and activates the surrounding sidewalk with color. The lighting automatically cycles through different colors creating a dynamic experience.
Additional Information
Dimensions: 10' H x 7'6 1/4" Diameter | Materials: laser cut stainless steel, powder-coated steel, LED lighting, electronics