Wandering Stars is a pair of interactive sculptures located at the Cushing St & Granada Ave streetcar station in downtown Tucson, Arizona. Part of the Sun Link Streetcar construction project, the goal of the sculptures was to create a unique piece of art to define the stop among the twenty-two stations along the route and to respond to the unifying artistic concept of flow. The sculptures offer a colorful, chaotic ‘swarm’ of star elements that invite interactivity and celebration. The ‘flock’ of triangular forms are frozen in motion and elevated on columns that frame the west and eastbound stops.

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During the day, the bright orange steel frame creates a dynamic form soaring over riders’ heads. At night, the frosted acrylic within each triangle glows with different colored LED lighting. Each sculpture contains a touch sensor, which allows visitors to interact with the piece. When pressing the button, visitors can cycle through different colors and initiate a process in which adjoining triangles influence each other. The visitor selects a color and watches as it moves from one triangle to another creating a vibrant ‘flow’ of color and light patterns throughout the work.

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Date:

2014

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Location:

Cushing St & Granada Ave Streetcar Stop, Tucson, AZ

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Dimensions:

West Bound Stop: 11'8" x 7'3" x 17'5"

East Bound Stop: 31'2" x 12'6" x 17'10"

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Media:

steel, acrylic, LED lighting, electronics, touch sensor

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Commissioning Agency: 

Tucson Pima Arts Council

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Artist:

Joe O'Connell

Blessing Hancock