The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has commissioned Minneapolis sculptor James Brenner to create an energy efficiency-themed public art piece within the Holland neighborhood to encourage and educate the community about energy conservation. The installation, also known as the Northeast Green Light Project, will eventually take the shape of a grouping of lighting structures, six in the core and multiple spaced around, that range in height from 10-12 feet tall. The bases will be made from steel and the tops will be LED lamps with fiber-optic lighting.
The sculpture will be placed on the corner of Quincy Ave and 22nd Street, surrounding Edison High School parking lot. The tops of the lights will be connected to a wireless data management system and will change color to represent the current energy conservation data of the community. The mission of Green Light Project is to serve “as a visual representation of how an active and intentional community, working with powerful partners in a rich supporting environment, can educate the public in energy awareness and conservation. The installation operates as both a beacon to draw in and educate the larger community and as a catalyst to spur that community to action” (James Brenner Sculpture).
Partners of the project are Edison High School, the Center for Energy and Environment, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, and Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association.
The project is constructed around four “pillars.” The first of which is Strategic Location: the Green Light Project will be situated as a hub for Jackson Square Park, the N.E. YMCA, the Fireman’s Museum, the Edison Stormwater Project, Edison High School, the N.E. Public Library, and the Holland flood mitigation basin. The second pillar is Social Fabric: the project will be a shared thread through connecting organizations, participating businesses, and medallion holders (a local fundraiser for public art through local businesses). The third pillar is Energy Education, including real world opportunities with measurable results, social media, green stewards, and intergenerational learning opportunities. The forth pillar is Sustainability: this pillar includes forward thinking about solar power, water resource management, gas and electricity conservation, and a green campus.
CEE “sees public art as an opportunity to apply new perspective to our on-the-ground knowledge and create an emotional response to energy. After thirty years of research and program implementation, we [the CEE] know that know that even when individuals are armed with information about the long-term impact of their energy actions, barriers prevent them from making positive behavior change. With the assistance from Forecast Public Art, CEE developed Art as Energy to collaborate with local artists and designers. The grant furthers our nonprofit mission by empowering acts of energy conservation and efficiency” (Center for Energy and Environment).
To see an animated walk through of the completed Northeast Green Light Project view the video below.
