Client: Port of Corpus Christi

Overview

Composed of more than 20,000 shimmering elements, Katy Stone’s “Light Current” transforms the Port of Corpus Christi Administration Building lobby by its sheer magnitude of subtlety – echoing the natural energy and connectivity of the surrounding aquatic landscape.

Inspired by a deep interest in in the forces of energy that animate our world and her engagement with the water, the artist brilliantly reflects the activity of this light-filled space through both form and material.

Each of the 20,000 hand-sanded paillettes, made of metalized mylar on acrylic, is painstakingly mapped out, creating an immersive experience activated by the movement of the viewer. The expanse of this 13’ x 40’ installation evokes celestial navigation, wind currents, and reflections of light on water. When viewed more intimately, each disk, with its unique surface treatment, speaks to the importance of individuals coming together to realize community visions.

We selected “Light Current” for this space because of the compelling ways that Katy Stone explores natural phenomena and how she thoughtfully aligned her artistic practice with the mission of our client at the Port of Corpus Christi.

Goals

Our goal with this installation was to reflect both the macro and the micro perspectives; the macro of reflecting the Port's preeminent role in the region's ecology and water-based commerce, and the micro of inviting physical engagement between each visitor and the landscape.

Process

After detailed dialogue specifying the goals of the intended installation, Weingarten Art Group did a targeted call requesting two artists to respond to the aspirations and opportunities of this uniquely beautiful space.

Katy Stone designed the artwork on her computer with great precision and, in her studio, carefully assembled the thousands of metal and acrylic paillettes. On site, she used paper templates to place the artwork, removing the templates bit by bit, as the elements were affixed to the wall.

The result is a stunning composition that glides along the walls, echoing and reflecting both the waves of the Bay and the proximal audiences that enjoy it.