Cary, NC, USA, 2023

Light Passage is a public artwork set within Downtown Cary Park’s tree canopy. Wrapping around the high point of an elevated skywalk and overlooking a circular stormwater pond, the sculpture has an iconic presence from afar and is an immersive experience from within. Light Passage is structured by four large rings bolted to the skywalk’s girders. The spacing between the rings becomes progressively wider approaching the skywalk’s overlook. A spinning matrix of pipes inspired by tree branches and bird nests fills the spaces between the rings, building to become densest at the overlook where a flourish of prisms highlights the matrix culmination, casting spectrums of color onto the sculpture and skywalk.

While Light Passage reflects and refracts sunlight during the day, it projects electric light at night. The interior faces of the rings are programmable light channels, with the artwork’s dynamic lighting sequences and colors inspired by natural elements and phenomena. Day and night reflections into the stormwater pond expand and enhance optical perception of the artwork, with a play of gently moving water interacting with reflected imagery to create a myriad of effects merging light, movement, structure, and space.

Light Passage was commissioned by the Town of Cary, fabricated and installed by Demiurge, and engineered by Yetiweurks.