Raleigh’s shimmer wall is stunning
11 Jul
The shimmering oak tree that lives on the west facade of Raleigh’s new convention center is simply stunning. The sprawling tree is made up of nearly 80,000 light and dark aluminum squares and was completed a couple weeks ago. When the wind blows, the squares flap and it looks as if waves are rolling over the tree.
Soon, the tree will be backlit by LEDs, allowing the tree to glow and reflect a ton of colors. That won’t happen until the convention center officially opens on Sept. 5.
The success of this public art piece (or design feature, depending on who you ask) is apparently a big deal in Raleigh, which has had some hangups with other public art attempts, the News & Observer reports.
Two years ago, Raleigh officials rejected a hydro-electronic abstract sculpture planned for Fayetteville Street that was designed by Jaume Plensa, an internationally known Spanish artist. The decision led businessman Jim Goodmon to withdraw his offer to pay $2.5 million to help fund the project.
And then, in the mid-90s, there was a debate over the Time + Light Tower located in the median of Capital Boulevard north of the Fairview Road ramp, the N&O reminds us. The 40-foot tower is made up of glass panels that reflect rainbow colors.
I remember riding down Capital with my friend Graham when I first moved to Raleigh and asking him what that tower was. When he told me it was a public art piece, I laughed. It’s actually pretty cool (compared to most things in the Capital Boulevard median, anyway). When the Time + Light Tower went up, it “was called an ‘old derrick with mirrors’ by Tom Fetzer, Raleigh’s mayor at the time,” the N&O reports.
If you haven’t had a chance to see the shimmer wall for yourself, check out this hasty video I made.
The easiest place to pull over and view it is on Cabarrus Street, which is sorta closed for construction right now. Just head down South Dawson Street and turn left on Cabarrus Street to park. Then get out of your car and admire it’s beauty. An oak tree, of course, is a fitting shimmer wall stamp for the City of Oaks.
Have you seen the shimmer wall yet? Do you love it or are you underwhelmed?
Wow thanks for the update on this Ginny – I’m planning on coming down there for the official opening if I can. What do you use to shoot the video and edit it?
Andre, I shot the video with my JVC Everio and edited it in Adobe Premiere. Nothing fancy or special. Just put it together quickly so ya’ll could see the wall (haha, I rhymed).
I have yet to see it, but I will be trying to in the next couple of weeks. It looks so much more planned, thought out, and just plain pretty than the twisted pieces of metal they seem to love here in Cary/Morrisville.
That Time + Light tower is hideous. It cost something ridiculous like $50,000 or $100,000.
That’s why I’m glad when the Plensa thing was rejected. Plus, there was the whole fiasco with those horrific lights they wanted to put on Fayetteville St. – they too would have reflected light. I could imagine a bunch of Time + Light towers all down Fayetteville St.
I don’t trust Raleigh to make good art decisions.
The tree thing is ok, but adding colors later? What is up with Raleigh’s facination with bright and changing colors. Is everyone high or something????
i shall have to make the trip at some point to see this piece.
That’s very cool. Thanks for the video. I’m definitely going to venture over to Raleigh to see it.
I was sad for Raleigh when the Plensa project was fumbled. The Plensa interactive public art in Chicago at Millennium Park is fantastic.
Nice post Ginny. The wall really is attractive. I’ve seen it twice now from Amtrak, as the train rolls out of Raleigh. The shimmering effect makes it look as if the leaves on the oak are blowing in the wind. I had no idea it was there (new or otherwise), and it was a pleasant surprise to find.
I think I’m the only one who doesn’t like this thing. It reminds of this place called Graffiti’s that my parents took me to back in the late 70s. It was some disco dinner joint in Roanoke, VA that was all glittered up.
Soon to be the last Oak tree left in Raleigh.