Inside The Syzygy Art Installation at Parkmerced
Maximus recently collaborated with Building 180 to provide an outdoor art installation at Parkmerced, the Bay Area’s largest apartment community. Designed by mixed-media artist Taylor Dean Harrison, the interactive installation is called Syzygy, and features six 15×10 foot steel sculptures that cast a brilliant kaleidoscope of color on the ground below, spanning 120 feet. As the sun goes down, the installation lights up with the use of custom LED engines, beaming out a mesmerizing light show in Juan Bautista Circle from 4:30-10pm daily.
“My primary goal was to inspire a moment of wonder,” said artist Taylor Dean Harrison. “In that moment, the hardships and intricacies of a viewer’s world can fade away. A simple reprieve from mental and emotional pressure buildup is a worthy goal to me. I encourage viewers to immerse themselves and play with my installations, to bathe themselves in colored light and dance with the shadows.” Through Maximus’ sponsorship and collaborative efforts with Building 180, the Parkmerced community is celebrating art and sparking a sense of togetherness in divided times.
My primary goal was to inspire a moment of wonder.
Tyler Dean Harrison, Artist
The completion of the outdoor art experience is accompanied by a Nightlights program for the holiday season. As the installation lights up the sky with brilliance and wonder, Parkmerced is implementing spatial distance precautions so that everyone can safely enjoy the programming.
Kicking off with a grand opening celebration on November 27, there will be live performances from the Myron Edwins Band and Lumos. Every Tuesday, the Music in the Park series will invite various musical performances ranging from jazz to rock. The weekly Friday Night Lights events will provide entertainment for all ages, including art, activities, musical acts, food and much more. All events will follow Covid-19 safety guidelines and continue through now until January 14.
Syzygy is part of a larger project known as the Arts at Parkmerced initiative, a collaboration between Maximus and Building 180 to celebrate the arts and curate a diverse collection across the Parkmerced community. Maximus and Building 180 have previously collaborated on the mural for The Arballo Collection’s sunset deck that overlooks Lake Merced. This new community partnership is an exciting and hopeful look into a future of cultural richness and togetherness.
“Parkmerced is a historical part of the San Francisco landscape. It’s a neighborhood, a community, and home base for 10,000 people. And with 150 acres of open parkland, it’s also a beautiful outdoor setting to celebrate the arts”, said Fred Knapp, Maximus COO and operating partner for Parkmerced. “This installation is part of the first wave of art projects we are commissioning across the community. We hope that it, and the performing artists we invited to participate in our Nightlights program, will spark joy and raise spirits this holiday season.”
This installation is part of the first wave of art projects we are commissioning across the community. We hope that it, and the performing artists we invited to participate in our Nightlights program, will spark joy and raise spirits this holiday season.
Fred Knapp, Maximus COO
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