Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
Good news for one of our favorite works of art in Houston: Jay Baker's "Light Spikes," the collection of eight 24-foot-high flag pillars created for the 1990 Economic Summit. The pillars originally stood in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center, but were moved to Intercontinental Airport when the summit ended — and they've remained there ever since, sitting alongside the airport's main drive. Problem is, the work was never intended to be permanent, and after 16 years it's quite a bit the worse for wear. But the good news: The city's aviation department plans to restore the Light Spikes.
The $363,000 restoration will involve replacing the spikes' fabric coverings, which have been torn by workers changing the light bulbs inside, and rebuilding their aluminum interior structures. The rebuilt Light Spikes will include long-life bulbs that should last for 11 years, according to Channel 11. The cost of the work is justified because the sculpture has become a local landmark, Pam Ingeroll, who cares for the artwork at Houston's airports, said: "It just keeps being recognized as something special by everyone that comes through, so we have to do a pretty full restoration."
Something interesting we didn't know about the Light Spikes: They represent the eight governments that participated in the Economic Summit — the U.S., the U.K., France, Japan, Canada, the European Community, Italy and Germany. That part we knew, but we just learned that the spikes lean at a 10-degree angle toward a central point representing Houston, and the distance between each spike and this (unmarked) central point represents the distance between Houston and the capital of the country the spike represents. So the arrangement of the spikes, which we always took to be free-form, is totally planned. How about that?
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I worked for the company that did the flag graphics for these light spikes. I'm surprised they lasted this long! It's good to see them become a permanent exhibit.
It's nice to know the origin of the spikes, except for a quibble. In 1990, it was the G7, not the G8.
Wikipedia reference
G7 Banner
Since you have an interest in works of art in the Houston area,have you ever checked out the art show just about a quarter mile South of Loop 610 on the right side of 288? (outbound) I have watched art works being added at this outdoor site for years.....usually items are added overnight without fanfare. Perhaps you could do a short story on this...nobody in that area seems to know much about it. Who is the artist? And "Why"?? There is some fun stuff on display.
Ray
WebElder
Webelder, I'm guessing you are talking about the installation at Belfort and 288. That is the Houston Pipe and Supply Sculpture collection and the artist for most of the metal sculptures is Marc Rankin.
As for why, isn't that the eternal question for any artist!
Comment No. 2: It was the G7 in 1990, but there were eight leaders who participated in the 1990 summit, as shown by the spikes:
President Bush, and Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, Francois Mitterand of France, Helmut Kohl of Germany, Brian Mulroney of Canada, Giulio Andreotti of Italy, and Toshiki Kaifu of Japan, along with European Community President Jacques Delors, presided over the conference.
To laanba: Yes..that's the one. It makes for an interesting drive past it...never knowing what might have been added overnight. I would still like to read an article on this project. Who at Houston Pipe do we thank for this? Info on the artist,future plans,etc. Somebody deserves many thanks....
Ray
WebElder