Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

"Aurora Organ," an interactive light sculpture by Camille Utterback, in the "Shops at West End" complex in St. Louis Park.

When someone utters the words "public art," I admit the first image that comes to my mind is generally a bronze sculpture. And often times those sculptures, commissioned and approved by a group of government employees, seem pretty bland.

But public art is getting some new life, and some new energy, thanks to our love-affair with technology.

This coming Monday, St. Louis Park will be dedicating a work of public art at the new "Shops at West End" complex. Located in the atrium, "Aurora Organ" consists of six 17' long columns of light hanging from the ceiling. There are six places on the hand railing that correspond to the six light columns; each one responds to the touch of a hand. A quick tap will result in a short band of light; hold your hand down for several seconds, and the color bar gets longer and longer.

 is the artist behind the piece. Based in San Francisco, she received a MacArthur "Genius" grant shortly after she was commissioned by St. Louis Park, and she's seen as an "up-and-comer" in her field. Utterback says she's always created interactive pieces.

Utterback says this latest piece, "Aurora Organ" marks a new direction for her. Up until now she's worked on light projections that respond to human movement. But this is her first large-scale light sculpture. She says it's a rhythmic piece, designed to take the small gesture of a tapping hand and turn them into something big and beautiful.

The piece has no instructions, so Utterback attempts to draw people to the work with its beauty, and then, once they realize it reacts to their touch, allow them to explore how it works on their own. There are even some hidden surprises that people may discover if they experiment with it long enough.

. Executive Director Jack Becker says he's excited to see a city commission something as bold and creative as Utterback's work.

While Utterback acknowledges her piece will not last as long as a bronze sculpture would, she thinks there are trade-offs that cities are beginning to recognize.

Camille Utterback's "Aurora Organ" will be dedicated in a public ceremony on Monday, January 11th at 4pm. 

Arts and Culture

State of the Arts Blog

Marianne Combs

Author

A new public art sculpture in St. Louis Park reacts to the human touch.

Public art for our high-tech times

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox