Long Beach Lights, an incandescent oasis of public art on The Promenade between Broadway and 1st Street, was formally unveiled in a sunset ribbon-cutting ceremony during the DTLB Art + Design Walk on Saturday, April 11.
This vibrant new activation is the result of a collaboration between the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) and the Downtown Difference, a 501(c)(3) that works in coordination with the Alliance associated for public-facing improvements, arts initiatives and programming. Long Beach Lights, sponsored in part by the City and Port of Long Beach, will be on display for the next three months.
“This is a really cool culmination of a process that started long before me,” said Rodrigo Rodarte, DTLB Alliance’s new Senior Placemaking & Activations Manager. “The Alliance continues to partner with artists, architects, and the city to get projects like Long Beach Lights funded, designed, and constructed.”
Stephanie El Tawil, DTLB Alliance’s Economic Development & Policy Manager, elaborated: “We wanted something with a Long Beach vibe that also provided an element of safety. Not only does this installation light up at night, it’s solar powered and self-sustaining. It gives people another reason to visit the Downtown Core. It’s a great stopping point for people to experience Long Beach love.”
The four tree-like lightworks that make up Long Beach Lights are getting glowing reviews from Promenade business owners, pedestrians and residents of nearby apartments. Gregory Hollins, who lives right next to the new installation, praised its unique design. “It looks amazing and fits this space so well,” he said. “I’d love to see something like it that’s more permanent on The Promenade. It gets people visiting, talking, and supporting our local businesses.”
Long Beach Lights is the creation of Downtown-based architects and designers Jennifer Tran and James Shen, who have been married since 2009. They met while studying architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They moved around together quite a bit, including a 10-year residence in Beijing. During that time, Shen established his architecture practice while Tran spent time as studio assistant for renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Approached from afar, their installation looks like “squiggles on a post, almost like umbrellas, yet reminiscent of palm trees,” Shen explained. “It also reminds people of neon signs. Kind of ‘Miami Vice’-ish.”
As one gets near Long Beach Lights, the words “Long Beach” reveal themselves in cursive writing.”There’s an abstract component to cursive,” said Shen. “One incorporates one’s own style into it — a human component. The shapes change and shift, depending on your perspective. There’s an aspect of it that’s open, for people to see what they want to see.”
As the sun began to set on April 11, a crowd of DTLB Art + Design Walk passersby stopped on The Promenade to listen to ribbon-cutting ceremony speeches. Many were drawn to the event by DJ Sleeping With Shoes On, whose real name is John Gabriel. His music, which he described as “earthy, lo-fi chill-hop,” was created specifically for the unveiling and enhanced the occasion.
Jeremy Ancalade, DTLB Alliance’s Vice-President of Administration & Finance, who also serves as Executive Director of The Downtown Difference, said: “Public art has the power to turn everyday spaces into something memorable, meaningful, and magical. It tells the story of who we are as a community, and who we aspire to be. This installation is a reminder that Downtown isn’t just where we work, live, or pass through; It’s where culture is created, it’s where community is built, and it’s where everyone belongs.”
After the ceremony, Tran and Shen posed for photos with their framed Certificates of Commendation from Mayor Rex Richardson, Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, State Assembly Member Josh Lowenthal, and Congressman Robert Garcia. “This feels really good. I’m very surprised and a bit emotional about the certificates,” said Tran. “We’re really happy to be part of the Long Beach arts community. We got amazing support from our artist peers and the DTLB Alliance.”