Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, USA, 2021
North Light is a lighting installation on the north abutment of Climate Pledge Arena, a historic landmark designed by Paul Thiry for the 1962 “Century 21” World Fair. Dynamic washes of colored light and projections change nightly, with light shows inspired by Arena events, Seattle teams, and cultural celebrations taking place at Seattle Center where the Arena is located. Red and blue lights coupled with a revolving octopus eye indicate NHL Kraken games, green and yellow lights coupled with a revolving whirlwind indicate WNBA Storm games, and rainbow washes coupled with a revolving yellow spotlight indicate rock concerts happening at the arena. Different color combinations mark special observances, such as red, yellow and white playing on Indigenous People’s Day.
The floodlights accentuate the unique angular geometry of the architecture and reflect off the glass façade to expand the visual impact of the lighting. The illumination creates a beacon visible from adjacent streets, while a primary pedestrian path passing beneath the structure causes an immersive experience of color and light. The glass façade adjacent to the abutment allows the artwork to be experienced from both inside and outside the Arena, with the artwork visually connecting the two environments and eliciting a stunning, theatrical space that invites passersby to stop and watch interior happenings.
North Light was commissioned by Climate Pledge Arena and is one of eight artworks that resulted from a public art plan developed by Haddad|Drugan for the Arena with a conceptual theme of “remembering tomorrow” through projects that foster collective experiences. To develop North Light, Haddad|Drugan collaborated with Populous, the lead architect of the Climate Pledge Arena redevelopment, ME electrical engineers, Cochran Inc electrical contractors, CAA Icon, and Todd Haas of The Lighting Group who worked with the artists to program the system.