North 107th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 2020

A grove of tall, colorful, and kinetic tree-like sculptures marks Phoenix’s 107th Avenue streetscape near Dust Devil Park as a gateway to West Phoenix. The torquing sculptures are at a scale to be experienced by vehicles, but also provide an immersive art oasis for pedestrians. The compound curving, dust-devil inspired pipes hold hundreds of multi-colored polycarbonate disks that glow in the sunlight, rotate in the wind and cast graphic shadows. Topping the luminous canopies are reflective mirrored jets and birds in flight. Birds include a Kestrel diving, a White-tailed Kite kiting, and a Cooper’s Hawk soaring. Flight paths of F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II jets are also inspirations, given the history of aviation at nearby Luke Air Force Base. Seat boulders under the colorful canopy provide a shady respite from the midday sun as well as a place to have an immersive art experience of changing color and light.

Uplift was commissioned by the City of Phoenix. Fabrication and installation by Magnum, engineering by KPFF.