In order to help give The Bay Bridge the recognition it sorely deserved (and missed) after its opening in 1936, Illuminate the Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to producing community-integrated art, has already raised $5.5 million towards “The Bay Lights Project.” According to KTVU.com, using 25,000 LED lights San Francisco’s Bay Bridge will serve as a beacon of twinkling city pride as it approaches its 75th anniversary. Well past the age of retirement, the good ‘ole Bay Bridge is finally getting a new gig after long being put in between Oakland and San Fran (and that’s no easy job). Just a bridge you say? No way! Newly minted light sculpture? Yes!
The LED bulbs will be strung along the vertical cables on the Western side of the bridge, away from the driving eyes of city commuters, but allowing visibility from miles around San Francisco. Former San Francisco Governor Gavin Newsom said, “This is the kind of thing we need to do to remind people what a special place this is. I think this thing is going to blow people away." In total, the project should cost around $8 million by the time it is unveiled in March of 2013—a few months before the new eastern part of the bridge opens on Labor Day weekend.
After two years of creative work and funding, the project will serve as both a rejuvenation of city spirits as well as a way to get the community interested in the arts. To help Illuminate the Arts continue raising dollars for the installation visit IlluminatetHearts.org.
