Public Art

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 21, 2009) - International artist and Phoenix native D.A. Therrien, renowned for his dramatic, high-voltage art spectacle performances, debuted his large-scale artwork in Scottsdale, Ariz. this past weekend. 

Commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art, Therrien's two-night only art installation and performance was suspended more than 80 feet over the Arizona Canal at Scottsdale Waterfront. The art spectacle featured an enormous 80-foot-wide array of quartz lamps, called the 4 Letter Word Machine, designed by the artist as a visual translation and communications system using code and patterns derived by the artist.

During several shows throughout both evenings, performers ascended to platforms over the canal and controlled the four 16-foot-square alphanumeric displays via custom switches. Brilliant bolts of white light scrolled through a spectacular display of mysterious messages, which were accompanied by ethereal sounds reminiscent of electromechanical devices and the hum of technology.

"Such a complex and large-scale artwork is unprecedented in the state of Arizona," said Margaret Bruning, associate director of Scottsdale Public Art. "This world debut of Beautiful Light was an incredible success. More than 2,000 of viewers were mesmerized by what they witnessed."

The work of D.A. Therrien examines the interface of man and machine, often incorporating the human body into large-scale rituals of technology.

"In addition to my interest in light and electricity, I have a fascination with language and the codes that represent it," said artist D.A. Therrien. "This performance explores the purity of white light, the mystery of language, the precision of digital codes and the magic of 4 letters - A, C, G, T- representing the DNA code, and consequently, all known life."

Beautiful Light was commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art in partnership with Starwood Capital Group and Golub & Company. 

For more information about Beautiful Light or about Scottsdale Public Art, please visit www.beautifullight.org or www.scottsdalepublicart.org.

 About Scottsdale Public Art 
The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established the Scottsdale Public Art Program with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then more than 70 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards. Public art has taken many forms ranging from the walls of the Pima Freeway to James Turrell's "skyspace" at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Scottsdale Public Art Program is managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. For more info please visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org

 About Scottsdale Public Art 
The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established the Scottsdale Public Art Program with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then more than 70 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards. Public art has taken many forms ranging from the walls of the Pima Freeway to James Turrell's "skyspace" at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Scottsdale Public Art Program is managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. For more info please visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org

 About Scottsdale Public Art 
The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established the Scottsdale Public Art Program with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then more than 70 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards. Public art has taken many forms ranging from the walls of the Pima Freeway to James Turrell's "skyspace" at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Scottsdale Public Art Program is managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. For more info please visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org

 About Scottsdale Public Art 
The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established the Scottsdale Public Art Program with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then more than 70 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards. Public art has taken many forms ranging from the walls of the Pima Freeway to James Turrell's "skyspace" at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Scottsdale Public Art Program is managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. For more info please visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org