Spirit of Camelback, 2009

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale AZ

Glass and fiber optics lighting

12’ x 27’-8” x 2’-8”

Public Art commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art Program

Spirit of Camelback serves as an elegant focal point for the newly renovated performing arts center atrium.

An array of more than 130 hand-sculpted glass stems punctuate the space, emerging from a curved wall, continuing outside of the building to beckon passersby and welcome guests.

Atmospheric lighting flows through the stems and creates a constellation of delicately glowing organic crowns of crackled glass, with differing intensity from day to night.

The sculptural installation evokes the mountain with subtle references to its topographical ridge pattern, to the organic forms of cactus blooms found on its slopes, and in the glowing colors of the sunset, seen after a hike to the top. The varying hues, from white to amber to fiery red, create crescendos within the artwork.