Client: San Francisco Municipal Railway / San Francisco Arts Commission
Location: San Francisco, CA, United States
Completion date: 2022
Artwork budget: $536,550
Project Team
Artist, project manager
Erwin Redl
Paramedia LLC
Electronic engineering
Leo Fernekes
Fernekes Designs
Overview
The title references the song by The Beatles, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” released in the 1967, the same year of San Francisco’s “Summer of Love.” The light installation is comprised of hundreds of LED light panels, each containing an array of colors. The light panels are suspended along the entire length of the concourse ceiling in a diamond-shaped pattern, The light sequences slowly change color and display simple patterns, creating an immersive environment.
Goals
The goals was to add everchanging color patterns to the 700 ft long distribution corridor of the Union Street / Market subway station top level. Commuters experience the tranquil light sequences by passing through the corridor or getting a glimpse of the light panels when ascending from the lower levels. The artwork provides a moment of calmness within the intense, transitory commuter environment.