Optical Streams 2020

Commissioned by the City of Lafayette in 2009, this installation originally featured 109 letter sets from the Periodic Table of the Elements on a narrow, long trellis at the Children’s Activity Deck, along with optical glass lens pieces inside portholes along the deck wall (still existing) (see original project).

In 2020, the colorful glass element pieces on the trellis were relocated to two areas: the West Deck outside and under the skylight in the children’s book area inside, with the addition of 10 elements that had been added to the Periodic Table since the original 2009 installation.

The stainless steel armatures, inspired by Lafayette’s creek networks, support the glass so that sunlight creates dynamic reflections and colored shadows across floors and walls.

On the West Deck, the installation benefits from long afternoon sunlight and sparkles with colorful, glittering effects visible from First Street, drawing the attention of passersby, while the skylight area continues to offer interactive light phenomena for children inside.