Many of you may recognize the always black, powered-down, street-facing video panel on the side of Moscone Center West. But most of you probably have never seen it turned on and were not aware that this is actually a public artwork titled 'Facsimile' that cost $1.5 million and that has spent most of the last 12 years since its installation totally broken. The SF Arts Commission voted last fall to finally dismantle and remove the thing.
The 15-foot by 25-foot LED screen was intended to be mobile and dynamic, broadcasting its images while slowly gliding across the surface of the building, mounted on 100-foot-tall steel arms attached to the top and bottom of the glass facade. Unfortunately, the screen was prone to over-heating, it only functioned for about a month back in 2003, and during that time it even started to squeak as it moved.
Possibly the last time I'll get to say "Metreon Deathwatch".
7 Responses:
Man, reading the description, it actually sounds like a fantastic idea for a piece of art.
It was kind of neat for the minute that it worked, but even in that time they didn't do anything too interesting with it. It had potential.
I remember seeing it once running with images of window washers on it. I did not understand it was an art piece.
Oh I didn't know it moved. Reminds me of "Rusty" from the ballpark. He has been in jwzblog, right? http://www.technifex.com/portfolio/old-navy-splash-landing
I had no idea that existed, due to a sports allergy.
Frank Robert...
Frank Robert...