Current Conditions is a large scale dynamic sculpture that is suspended from the ceiling of the lobby in the New Public Service Building. The sculpture serves as a reflection of the changing physical environment of the City and slowly changes its shape in relation to climatic conditions within the City such as temperature, humidity or air quality. The movement creates a mesmerizing visual effect through subtle shifts of light, shadow and reflections, akin to a rippling lake or a flock of birds. The piece reconfigures itself every day to produce an infinite range of weather driven forms over its planned 75 year life span. In this way viewers are drawn back to experience the piece in a new light each time they visit the building.
The sculpture consists of a large voluminous form within the two-story lobby which will be viewed and felt from vantage points both within the building and from the street and plaza across the street. The piece is made from two sets of hanging catenary elements of formed polymeric resin, and have a lightness and transparency that is appropriate to the view corridors within the building.
The intention of the artwork is to draw the awareness of visitors and workers to the environment which we, as a collective local and global society, are stewards over. The environment and its resources, are also the core subject matter of many of the workers in the building, and the notion of Public Service, extends to our service as stewards of the city.