Sculpting The Sun

We started this project thinking about the convention experience and its possibilities in West Palm Beach, FL. Events at the Palm Beach County Convention Center range from the Palm Beach Mayor’s Ball, college graduations, World Leaders Conference, EWRI Environmental and Water Congress, and many others. These events bring visitors together, show the newest and the latest, and seek a memorable experience. The courtyard is the introduction to the center, which in turn is the introduction to West Palm Beach. Beside the environment of the sun and the sea, is the city ready to present a forward looking, inventive image to the world? We thought yes, that the Courtyard needs to fit in, but also needs to look forward.

Conventions are structured to feed a lot of information in a few days; they are also the time to make connections and socialize. How do we bring people together in this large, hot front courtyard, give them a place of respite from all the presentations and create a social space for evening events and also be available to present large exhibitions? We want West Palm Beach to be seen as an innovative place in touch with the major concerns of the world. The convention center is the display space of the city to visitors from across the nation. West Palm Beach has abundant sun to create energy with solar panels. These can provide shade, power fans for cooling lights at night and off the grid Charging Stations, elegantly playing with sunlight. The time is ripe for this iconic image.

A Public Art Project Proposal by Mags Harries and Lajos Héder with Landscape Architect Connie Roy Fisher

• Location: Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL
• Artists: Mags Harries and Lajos Héder
• Landscape Architect: Connie Roy Fisher, Studio Sprout