New Public Art Sculpture in Holland

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has commissioned Northeast Minneapolis-based sculptor James Brenner to create a public art installation that will educate the community about energy conservation. The Northeast Green Light Project will be located at the corner of Quincy Street and 22nd Avenue, adjacent to the Edison High School parking lot. Conceived as a group of light sculptures fabricated from Cor-ten steel, sculpted glass and led lights, the installation will be connected to a wireless data management system and will change color from red and orange to green and blue in correlation with energy savings achieved by the surrounding community through CEE energy audits and programs. The ultimate goal is to realize energy savings in the Holland neighborhood equivalent to the amount of energy required to power Edison High School.

Brenner conceives of the project’s mission as “a visual representation of how an active and intentional community can educate the public in energy awareness and conservation. The installation operates as both a beacon to draw in and educate the larger community and as a catalyst to spur that community to action.” The Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association (HNIA) is a partner in the project and their current Medallion Public Art Connector (MPAC) Initiative will both raise funds for a future phase of the project and serve as a conduit for information about CEE’s energy conservation programs. Edison High School will also partner in the project, with students assisting in the energy usage data collection and analysis. The Northeast Green Light Project will offer a unique opportunity for practical, hands-on science education. An informational kiosk and Q-Reader at the site will offer members of the public an easy way to learn more about the project and follow the energy conservation process.

This project will be an exciting complement to the water quality projects being initiated by Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) on the Edison campus this summer. Data on stormwater capture and re-use rates will also be tracked by the data management system and analyzed by Edison students. The light sculptures will also be aesthetically related to the public art installations already in place on the Green Campus, including Innovation Backstop, In Flux, Double Flux and the Edison School sculptural sign.