The Tampa Convention Center is stepping up its aesthetic game with the launch of the first out of three dynamic art installations intended to enhance visitor experience. According to an official release from the City of Tampa, "Recurrence," a sculpture that mimics the ebb and flow of local tides, has been installed outside its Central and West Exhibit Halls. The piece is a mingling of art and technology, consisting of 12 wave-like aluminum channels equipped with LED lights that are more than just decorative.

Designed to visually represent the diurnal tidal cycle of Hillsborough Bay and Davis Island, the installation uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to illuminate patterns of high and low tide. This integration of environmental data aims to visually marry the natural surroundings of Tampa with the convention center's constructed space. Luftwerk Studio, the Chicago-based brains behind "Recurrence," has managed to quickly capture attention with this site-specific showcase, as per the City of Tampa.

Adding to Tampa's urban landscape, this wall sculpture not only serves to beautify but also educate. Hundreds of thousands of people who pass through the convention center each year will have the opportunity to observe an element of the city's coastal character indoors. As the first of a series, the expectation is to fully complete and unveil the two remaining art installations by the end of the year, the City of Tampa has indicated.

Hosting a multitude of events and trade shows, the convention center's new art acquisition serves a dual purpose. While it undoubtedly is a feast for the eyes, it also establishes an interactive dialogue between the attendees and Tampa's geographical nuances. "Recurrence" is set to be followed up by two additional installations that will hopefully continue to smoothly connect visitors with the local environment in unexpected and engaging ways, as detailed by the City of Tampa.