In an ambitious display of public art, Big Art Loop and the Port of San Francisco are debuting ten new sculptures along the city's waterfront. According to an announcement on the Port of San Francisco's website, this is just the beginning of a larger initiative to pepper the Bay Area with up to 100 large-scale art pieces over three years. The public can get their first up-close look at the installations during an Art Parade and Launch Celebration on November 6, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., complete with an array of festivities.
Each sculpture, ranging from 12 to 55 feet tall, adds a distinct touch to the waterfront landscape—from Peter Hazel's "Desert Shark" on Pier 45 to "Bloom" by Michael Christian at Heron's Head Park. The celebration kicks off at the "Corpus" sculpture at Pier 14, with live performances, mer-folk on skates, artist engagements, and other revelries expected to bring the artworks to life. As stated by Aliza Marks, CEO of Big Art Loop, per the Port of San Francisco, "Big Art Loop is bringing art out of storage and into the streets—or in this case, onto the piers." Marks insists public art has the power to transform everyday spaces into destinations that inspire wonder and bring communities together.
Dipping into specifics, the installations run the gamut from NiNo Alicea's interactivity-inviting "Got Framed" on Pier 7, to the awe-inspiring sound-based whale representation "Echoes – A Voice from Uncharted Waters" by Mathias Gmachl at Ferry Terminal Plaza. Big Art Loop – Portside demonstrates not just a testament to art's societal value, but a varied exploration of themes, ecology, play, mythology, balance, and transformation, that resonate with the community, per the San Francisco Port authority.
An Instagram post from Building180 hints at 'a little maritime magic' waiting for those who attend the Art Parade. The gathering is not just a viewing opportunity, but a chance to experience the new face of San Francisco's waterfront. Michael Martin, Acting Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco, told the Port's official publication, "The Port believes in the power of public art to bring vibrancy, excitement, and a sense of wonder to our already magnificent waterfront." With the enthusiastic partnership of the Port and varied contributions of artists both local and international, the Big Art Loop – Portside is reimagining what it means to experience art in the urban outdoors.
