Figge Art Museum covered in ‘a dream of light’ 

The lights are on. And a lot of people are taking longer looks at the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport. All those looks are coming because the outside of the museum building now is lit up at night with more than 1,000 powerful, full-color LED lights. Those lights are part of a $4 million […]

The lights are on. And a lot of people are taking longer looks at the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport. All those looks are coming because the outside of the museum building now is lit up at night with more than 1,000 powerful, full-color LED lights. Those lights are part of a $4 million project called “Evanescent Field” — the largest public art installation in Iowa. Designed by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal, the permanent light installation is now transforming the Figge and the Quad Cities skyline into a vibrant new Midwest landmark, according to Figge leaders. “What once was a dream of light has become a radiant landmark,” Melissa Mohr, the Figge’s executive director and CEO, said during a public “Glow Up” party Saturday night, May 17, to debut the art display.

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That party, which attracted thousands of people to the Figge, located at 225 W. Second St., featured lots of food, music, games, face painting, balloon art, caricature drawing and more. But the evening’s main event was the lighting of the building during a brief ceremony at 8:45 p.m. “This will happen every night. … Well, not so much the party we’re having, but I think it should,” said Ms. Mohr, referring to the fact that the Figge’s exterior now will light up nightly with the colorful lights. The lights were a big hit among many members of the Saturday night crowd. “This could be the eighth modern wonder of the world,” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said during the ceremony. Others in the crowd said they were impressed with the light show and the support the enhancement project has received. “It feels magical right now. It’s also great to see all the support from the community this is getting,” said Laura Wriedt, a Figge employee who was mingling with the crowd. Also in the party crowd was Jacki O’Donnell, the former executive director of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust, a privately endowed fund that supports the arts in the region. She said the lights will be a big hit with area residents, and will attract many people to now visit the Quad Cities to see Evanescent Field. “This is going to be iconic. People are going to travel from around the country to see this,” she added. The lights were also part of the fashion statements being made by spectators. In honor of the light display, many people enjoyed light-up gifts and drinks. They included the Lavender Lux glow cocktail served to many guests, and many brightly lit items, including bracelets, rings, eye glasses and glow sticks. But the biggest lights on the night were on the outside walls of the museum. Here’s a closer look at the public art installation: 

• The light display consists of more than 5,000 linear feet of lights on the museum’s exterior. 
• Mr. Villareal, the artist who has been involved with discussions about the local light project for the past 10 years, used binary code to create the complex light sequences. The light patterns constantly change so viewers get a unique lighting experience every time they look at the Figge. “Every person who sees this artwork will have a different and subjective experience. … People can’t help but to talk to each other when they see it,” Mr. Villareal said during the Figge’s pre-event news conference Friday, May 16.
• The inspiration for the changing light patterns “comes from patterns and systems of rules in nature, particularly the rhythms of the Mississippi River. … At times, the (light) sequences might evoke atmospheric clouds, and at others, underwater oscillations,” according to information from the Figge.
• During that Friday news conference, the artist added that he hopes the Evanescent Field lights will draw people to go inside the museum to see the many great works of art and programs being offered by the Figge.
• Plans to light up the Figge have been in the works for 20 years. When British architect Sir David Chipperfield designed the museum building, the original intent was to illuminate its glass facade to provide an ethereal glow at night.
• The Evanescent Field’s $4 million installation was made possible by a $1.6 million award through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Destination Iowa Creative Placemaking Fund, in conjunction with contributions from the Regional Development Authority, the Bechtel Charitable Trusts, the Quad Cities Cultural Trust and other donors.

In addition to getting many looks and praise from local residents, the Evanescent Field lights will also bring a lot of attention – and perhaps a lot more visitors – to the Quad Cities, business and tourism leaders said. Many of those leaders gathered at the Figge for the Friday news conference to discuss the light display. “It will transform the downtown … and provide new energy. What a way to get somebody’s attention,” said Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. He added: “This is what we look like when we are at our best.” Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said the light display will be an economic driver for the region, bringing in more visitors and money to the local economy. He added the Evanescent Field lights will set the Quad Cities apart from many other communities. “It’s really damn cool. … This is going to elevate and amplify our story,” he added. “Every time you look at it, you will see something different,” Mr. Matson said at the news conference.