One of the many highlights of a nighttime stroll along SF’s Embarcadero is having a front-row seat to one of the largest light sculptures in the world. The Bay Lights, a 1.8-mile long, 500-foot-tall light sculpture, transforms the Bay Bridge into a giant canvas of dazzling abstract art every evening.
Unfortunately, the Chronicle’s Heather Knight recently reported that after 10 years of wear and tear, it looks like The Bay Lights are scheduled to come down permanently unless they’re able to raise $11 million from potential donors.
As Knight reported, the project is scheduled to sunset on March 5th, but Illuminate, an SF-based non-profit behind the project has a grand plan to bring it back better than ever as “Bay Lights 360.”
Illuminate’s founder, Ben Davis, wants to re-install “Bay Lights” with higher-quality lights that can better handle the elements and place lights on both sides of the cables, vastly expanding visibility to both north and south of the bridge.
The ambitious project will cost $11 million, which Davis hopes to raise from 10 wealthy donors at $1 each. Matt Mullenweg, a web developer who created WordPress, has already pledged $1 million towards the project.
The Bay Lights were designed by renowned light artist Leo Villareal, who is the mastermind behind light sculptures at SF’s Moscone Center, Exploratorium, and across the globe.
Time will tell if Davis and Illuminate are able to raise the funds in time. Until then, get out and appreciate The Bay Lights as often as you can, while you still can.
Featured image: Courtesy of Illuminate. Photo by James Ewing