Instead of the multiplication of existing light fixtures, I propose a “marquee” made out of thousands of LED lights encased in glass forms, which could look like light bulbs. Imagine stringing the plaza with a grid of lights from the bridge toward the Weisman and from the campanille to/toward the grandstand.This marquee would be somewhere between 10’ and 16’ up in the air and be at least 2’ and no more than 4’ high to form a canopy/marquee over as much of the plaza as we like. The canopy/marquee could create low resolution imagery, including text, as well as more abstract, rhythmical flows based on traffic, weather, research, visitors - any number of variables.

For comparison: Jim Campbell, Scattered Light

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Pulse Room

See videos here.

John Baldessari, Your Name In Lights

Even during the day, the “ceiling” of the marquee would have a strong visual presence and may even be visible in certain overcast weather. Jim Campbell’s 1600 light bulbs for Scattered Light use less electricity than a toaster, and we would power these lights with solar panels installed on top of the camponille (or the kinetic energy of the bikers??

For another example of a “caonopy” of light being responsive (to the emotional content of newspaper feeds), see Will Pappenheimer’s project at the interactive cafe in San Jose

and in Tampa Bay for the Super Bowl:

More info here.

Christian Nold’s “Crowd Compiler” uses automated software to compose the crowd in a public space over time.