Heartbeat (SSS-006)
Cary, Nc.
2020, Installation 2023

“Let’s go downtown” is a phrase that evokes excitement and connection with the community. A place of activity and entertainment, the downtown area of Cary, NC, brightens the town and infuses it with life. What could be more evocative of this energy than a heartbeat? The proposed light installation on the wall at 108 E. Chatham St. embodies that heartbeat with a light sculpture inspired by the visual rendition of a heartbeat on a monitor, pulsing to the rhythm of downtown.

Hanging from a parapet wall cap, the Heartbeat installation consists of a cascade of linear, light gauge steel studs, travelling down the wall from left to right as a relief wall sculpture. LED lights are concealed within the flanges of the steel studs, throwing light off the brick wall and other steel members. The lighting pulses along the installation: white light at a faster pace engages the eye and elevates excitement, while pink light manifests at an intermittent, steady beat. Following the trajectory of the light along the various lines is a mesmerizing experience that invites the viewer to engage with the installation.
 
The installation will make use of the entire wall, measuring 60’ x 15’ x 1’, and weighing between 200-250 pounds. It is composed of steel studs abd waterproof LEDs. By design, the manner in which the steel members cross one another effectively makes the sculpture one rigid lightweight steel truss, which will hang from custom brackets that wrap the parapet wall.