Client: Downtown South Bend Inc.
Location: South Bend, IN, United States
Completion date: 2015
Artwork budget: $750,000
Project Team
Artist
Rob Shakespeare
Shakespeare Lighting Design
Industry Resource
Sean Smallman
LuxCanor Productions
Industry Resource
Mike Brubaker
Associated Controls + Design
Industry Resource
Tim Moran
James Thomas Engineering
Industry Resource
Corey Noland
KOONTZ-WAGNER
Landscape Architect
Chris Chockley
Jones Petrie Rafinski
Industry Resource
Richard Chapman
Lawson-Fisher Engineering Associates
Overview
Interactive light sculptures
TRIO: 22’, 27’, 33’ internally LED illuminated brushed aluminum interactive truss sculptures.
FOREST: 17’, 21’, 24’, 27’, 31’ powder coated internally LED illuminated interactive truss sculptures on steel trunks.
CRESCENT: 45’ horizontal arc aluminum sculpture on 3 x 18’ steel legs with LED spotlights. Dynamic illumination of 250’
CASCADES white water. 500’
JEFFERSON BRIDGE façade and under arch dynamic lighting.
plus lighting for diSuvero’s KEEPERS OF THE FIRE kinetic sculpture.
Goals
This section of the St. Joseph River is beautiful and really enjoyed during the day, but was dark and uninviting, even scary, as dusk fell. The goal of this project was to activate the area at night, link the different demographics of the east and west banks, and to create a fun and interactive destination. Prior, the area was dark and dangerous at night. Creating an engaging outdoor destination in the downtown was part of a master plan to revitalize the economy.
Process
Rob Shakespeare worked with Downtown South Bend Inc. Executive Director Aaron Perri for three years to realize this project, another layer of revitalization for the City. He worked closely with engineers, construction managers, a landscape architect and community volunteers to plan and execute River Lights. His team included a master control system programmer, Sean Smallman.
Additional Information
River Lights opened on the 150th Birthday of South Bend and is commemorative of the event. Funding was primarily from local businesses, individuals, and some City grants.