Client: private

Overview

“PINK OWL” (working title), Painted steel, 12’ x 9’ x 6.3’, sited at Horton Downtown, San diego,
CA, 2023.
“The Burrowing Owl (Athene Cunicularia)
is a migratory species that utilize the spaces of
coastal San Diego County. This little
bird is one of the most diurnal of all owls.
It often perches near its hole; when approached
too closely, it will bob up and down and finally
dive into its burrow rather than take flight.”

Goals

PINK OWL (working title), references both abstraction and modernism,
mirroring the surrounding environment. As in Cubist sculpture, the
subject here is analyzed, broken up and reassembled reducing the figure
to its most essential features. An apt icon for Technology and Science.

Process

Uplighting would create dynamic night-time shadow play.
Slowly shifting color would create a kinetic element, changing the pink
into yellows and purples.

Horton hears a “hoo-hooooo”.
Sound:
instead of getting a “cuckoo” sound on the hour this owl provides
the slow hoot of an owl.
“hoo-hooooo” at 1 o’clock, “hoo-hooooo” “hoo-hooooo” at 2
o’clock.

Additional Information

Sadly, recent reports show that this owl is declining in population in California. The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research (ICR) has been working on the recovery of the species. Owls are exceptional creatures that have been deeply involved in folklore and mythology. The Owl symbolizes observation, independent thinking, and wisdom. An excellent symbol of the Horton Downtown concept. “Don’t count your owls before they are delivered.” ~ Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter