A large-scale steel sculpture titled “Everything Under the Sun” has begun installation in a KAF-owned lot at the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and Leonard Avenue, at the northeastern edge of the Grand Center Arts District. The concept for the installation was inspired by the roughly east-west orientation of St. Louis streets and their alignment with sunrise and sunset throughout the year. The installation includes a monumental steel sculpture that will allow sunlight to filter through in perfect alignment with the city’s street grid during sunrise and sunset on specific days each year. The experience will be enhanced with regular public programs tied to sunrise and sunset and community experiences on the site.
The project comes out of a multiyear collaborative initiative, Design Openings, launched last year by The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, that invites local interdisciplinary design teams to animate public life in the Covenant Blu Grand Center neighborhood through long-term creative design projects and collaborations.
“Everything Under the Sun” was conceived by Jonathan Stitelman, senior lecturer in architecture and urban design, who led a team including Becca Leffell Koren, senior lecturer in communication design; Max Bemberg, project architect; RJ Hartbeck, photographer and storyteller; Josh Levi, sound design lead; and Chris McCrossan of Trocofab. Their proposal was selected by a jury of local community stakeholders. The initiative is made possible with funds from an endowment established by Emily Rauh Pulitzer to support collaborative projects between WashU and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.
“KAF was pleased to offer the Design Openings initiative this piece of land upon which a new and dynamic piece of public art will be enjoyed by all in the district,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “This project is a true collaboration that elevates our entire arts community.”
