Introduction

Color Solar Sculpture “Changing Tide” in San Francisco Bay

Solution

Situated in the San Francisco Bay, seven five-meter-tall seagrass-inspired solar sculptures with LOF color solar cell inside, open to the public in October 2019. It’s located near the Richmond Ferry Terminal. Richmond, with its 32-miles of shoreline, has the largest 75 percentage and healthiest eelgrass meadows in the San Francisco Bay. The form of the large public art installation is specifically inspired by eelgrass, a critical species providing foundation for the marine ecosystem to restore crustaceans, fish, and sea-star etc.

Before the 1840 Gold Rush, the bay is a salt tidal marshland full of biodiversity. But the growing population, over costal development, silt and mercury downstream had threatened the critical seagrass growth and led to the pollution in marine ecosystem. Not until 1965, the local communities started to take actions against the environmental-unfriendly real estate development. In 2006 the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project was initiated to protect the marshland actively and bring up the awareness of marine biodiversity.

The 14 custom color solar panels mimic the eelgrass's photosynthesizing. Solar panels charge a battery for the LED light show at night. The 'Changing Tide' sculpture evokes the wonder of the Bay world through an underwater experience.

Reed and Madden are award-winning sculptors who specialize in site-specific artwork for public environments. Their artwork is about creating the spirit of the place with elegant forms. They make iconic sculptures that promote community pride. Artistically, the couple often using the movement of wind, light and water to evoke natural phenomena. They work primarily with stainless steel, bronze, and concrete. In this project, they laminate 440pcs LOF sparkling gold solar cells into solar panels in local. Central spine houses strips of 20,000 LED lights that make the stainless glow. Solar panels charge lithium batteries to power the lights at night. Programmed lighting charts the actual rhythmic rise and fall of the tides.

For “Changing Tide”, the sculptures donated two-years to its making, illuminating a rising awareness of the value of the natural environment. Their creativity makes the ferry terminal more than a transportation end but a marvelous above-water wonder world. The sculpture truly stands as a tribute to the growing stewardship that has worked to save the bay.