George M. Sullivan Power Plant, Anchorage, Alaska, USA, 2017
Cosmic Rise expresses energy in the Alaskan night sky, from a macro to micro level. Flares from the sun, original source of all energy on earth, extend through space and as they hit earth’s magnetic field, electrically charged particles enter the earth's atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen and become visible on earth as the Aurora Borealis. The Aurora Borealis can store hundreds of thousands of megawatts of electricity and represents electric power on a mega scale.
Red stars and constellations visible in Alaska’s sky – including Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Corona Borealis, Lynx, Gemini, Taurus, and the Pleiades – represent mythical energy. Two large figures in the center of the mural represent animals associated with Ursa Major: the bear is a Western association and the caribou is an Inuit association, both symbolic of Alaska. The stars transition to snow crystals and molecules of oxygen and nitrogen- gases found in the Aurora - as well as water and natural gas – chemicals used in the thermal generation plant where natural gas powers turbines and steam energy.
The mural images are superimposed and visible together during daylight times. At dark times, the artwork comes alive with lighting effects that make certain images pop while others recede into the dark background, making the artwork dynamic in the darkness.
Cosmic Rise was commissioned by the Municipality of Anchorage 1% for Art Program. The mural was painted by Conor Hollis, Amorette Lana, Lauren Youngsmith, Robin Munro, and Anna Charney. Municipal Light & Power electricians graciously installed the lighting system.