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City Sheds New Light On Bright Idea For Downtown Event

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2008

TAMPA - To some artists, Tampa's buildings are canvases. In 2006, about half a dozen artists used lights on buildings to brighten up downtown.

Now the city is preparing to re-launch its Lights on Tampa program. Showtime is Jan. 10. Most of the displays likely will be up for about two months, coinciding with the Super Bowl and Gasparilla.

Organizers called the 2006 event a success. On a chilly January evening, hundreds walked downtown's streets to see artist Jorge Orta's light installation at Plant Hall, Stephen Knapp's lights on city hall and Erwin Redl's blue and red lights on the Pavilion at Rivergate Tower.

In 2009, the city will have either five artists' work on four sites, or the work of six artists on five sites. Details are being worked out, said Robin Nigh, the city's public art administrator.

Lights on Tampa is expected to cost the city about $225,000. Grants and private sponsorships will offset additional costs.

The project survived criticism by City Councilman John Dingfelder, who raised concerns at Thursday's council meeting about the cost and who would pay it.

About $70,000 will come from Tampa Convention Center funds - money, Dingfelder said, that might be better shifted to the general revenue pot. General revenue pays for most city services.

He lost his argument in a 5-1 vote, which followed a debate among council members about the social and economic value of public art.

"It's going to make the convention center look good, it's going to make the city look good," Councilwoman Mary Mulhern said.

Here's a look at what the city is expecting for Lights on Tampa.

Chris Doyle is working on both permanent and temporary displays at and near the Tampa Convention Center. For the temporary display, he plans to attach a rotating mirror ball to downtown street lights.

"It's kind of dazzling," Nigh said. "The thought behind it is bringing the stars down to Tampa."

The permanent display is a parody of a chandelier, Nigh said, and likely will be installed at the outside plaza of the convention center.

Marina Zurkow is designing an animation piece focusing on regional weather. It will be displayed on three 5x8 LED (or light-emitting diode) screens near the convention center and Marriott Waterside Hotel.

Carlton Ward is working on an environmental photography display, also for the convention center area.

A German group called Casa Magica is creating a light display to be projected on the south wall of the Fort Brooke parking garage.

Will Pappenheimer is working on a concept called a public mood ring. According to his Web site, the public mood ring "is a combined Internet and spatial installation, which displays the emotional condition of public news stories as color hue."

The city is looking for a site for the LED display.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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