Caedes

  Hayden Rapids  

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Uploaded: 07/25/08 7:11 PM GMT
Hayden Rapids
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In September I am going to Chicago, and hope to view a neon sculpture at the O'Hare Airport that my father worked on with Artist Michael Hayden. My father was an electronic genius, and worked with Michael on several of his neon sculptures. I contacted Michael recently to ask about "The Sky's the Limit" at O'Hare, I would be extremely disappointed to get there and find out it was in an area accessible to arriving passengers only. (My sister and I are driving into Chicago, and flying out) When I contacted him he told me about his most recent scuplture, right here in my own backyard! "Rapids" is one of two sculptures at the US Bank building in downtown Sacramento. The description of it: ""Rapids," an array of about 200 mirrors and lighted panels hanging down five floors and spanning 84 feet in the tower's seven-story atrium. Each 2-foot by 2-foot panel resembles a smooth white piece of gum on one side – Hayden calls them "Chiclets" – that contains an LED video projector developed by Lighting Science. The other side is a holographic two-way acrylic mirror. Hayden will hang the panels from an aluminum structure running across the atrium's expanse, and the south-facing mirrored side of each panel will cast rainbows by reflecting sunlight pouring through the building's clear-glass exterior. The LED sides of the piece will carry more water video, giving the viewers the sense they are looking at frothing river rapids tumbling down from the seven-story ceiling." It really is beautiful, and I was delighted to finally be able to see one of his completed works. I am keeping my fingers crossed for O'Hare. (Still don't know if I will get to see it!)

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.Genver
07/25/08 7:53 PM GMT
It is a nice structure,the picture is lovely.
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::0930_23
07/25/08 9:23 PM GMT
Just loved the narrative and now I feel like I know another artist because of you. I bet it was something to behold. It is amazing what people can create. Thanks Slugger for the info and great photo.

Tick
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I'll meet you at the edge of the sunlight, just behind the shadows. The Ghost
::nigelmoore
07/26/08 6:56 AM GMT
I can see why you thought it looks like chewing gum - it does. Or soft white pillows. Love your narrative here Carol and it's a well-presented shot of this impressive work of art. It really gets a sense of the rapids doesn't it, with all the waves and flowing motion. Interesting he calls chewing gum chiclet too - that's the French word.
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"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others merely a green thing which stands in the way." William Blake
::wheedance
07/27/08 2:19 PM GMT
Fascinating shot and story! I sure hope you get to see the one your father helped with in Chicago.
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All of earth is crammed with heaven And every bush aflame with God But only those who see take off their shoes. - Elizabeth Barrett Browning<p> mygallery
::phasmid
07/28/08 7:25 PM GMT
Just knowing someone that can create this type of extravaganza must be exciting. I hope you get your wish, and it's interesting to know that your father helped this man. Talent runs in the family, I see!

:)PJ
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We don’t make art to show someone what something looks like. All this requires is eyes (or a lens). Art is supposed to have meaning, emotion, power, or magic. Alan & Mario "FourThirds"

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