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Suspended Light Pillars by James Carpenter
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.
Suspended Light Pillars
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.

Suspended Light Pillars

Artist
Year2014
Classification sculpture
Medium optical aluminum and stainless steel
Dimensions190 x 53.25 x 2.75 ft., 2740 lb. (5790.9 x 1623 x 83.8 cm, 1242.9 kg)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location

  • A design team led by James Carpenter conceived of this sculpture installation for the courthouse atrium in response to the building’s architecture and the skies over Salt Lake City.  The artwork comprises a suspended grid of 342 hexagonal metal rods that Carpenter and his team designed to mimic the prismatic ice crystals that form in certain clouds.  These ice clouds, which are common phenomena in the Salt Lake City area, occur when cold air and water in the upper atmosphere combine to create suspended ice crystals that are shaped like tiny polygonal rods.  When struck by sunlight at certain angles, the ice crystals refract the light to create a range of optical effects, some of which are recreated by the reflective surfaces of Suspended Light Pillars.


    The artwork captures the light and color of the Utah sky and allows it to cascade through the ten-story atrium.  Some facets of the hexagonal rods are mirror-polished, and thus completely reflective, while other facets have brushed surfaces that reflect a more diffused light.  A small number of facets are anodized with a subtle sky-blue color.  The movement of people in front of the sculpture also creates visual effects of reflected motion and color.  At the top of the atrium, nine mirrors are positioned at various angles to direct sunlight into the pillars around midday throughout the year.