The Beacon INTERACTIVE ART EXHIBIT
two sustainability focused Interactive Art Installations commissioned by Sacramento County
I spent over six months during lockdown working on two incredible art installations for Sacramento County. My husband Sean Stillwell designed and fabricated two solar powered educational art exhibits now permanently stationed in Old Sacramento. My role was Content Manager; I wrote educational content that was displayed on the exhibit and also wrote and project managed the production of The Recycle Challenge digital game. We worked alongside Project Manager Jaymie Braun and Atrium founder Shira Lane to co-create these mobile installations, designed to disassemble to fit into a small SUV allowing for the ability to travel to festivals, farmers markets, schools, and other regional events. The concept of The Beacon is that of a guide, or beacon of hope and inspiration, which is desperately needed to tackle humanity's waste management crisis. Check us out on Good Morning Sacramento!
As participants explore the exhibit, they learn about proper recycling techniques specific to Sacramento county, shocking facts about our current climate crisis, and how the improper disposal of waste contributes to our predicament. The Beacon hosts The Recycle Challenge Game, an app that tests your knowledge about recycling and some unsettling truths about our waste management systems. By exploring the physical and digital displays, participants take away action steps that can help to have a positive impact on our community and planet.
Each 9'-0" x 9'-0" x 7'-6" installation is fabricated from an aluminum frame, laser cut walnut panels, upcycled mylar shade canopies, LED lighting, refurbished tablets, and unique upcycled art installations.
Contributing artists & shops:
Sean Stillwell: Principle Artist, Current Art Pod
Alexa Jesse: Principle Artist
Jaymie Braun: Principle Artist
Shira Lane: Producer
Yennie Zhou Designs: shade canopy, Home Art Pod
Makers Luck: wood panels fab
Hoimei Lin: graphic design
Dave Stone: wiring & LED fab
Chuck Summerville: 3D LED programming
Paramour Designs: travel protection
Artists Jaymie Braun, Alexa Jesse, and Sean Stillwell at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Unbound Solar: solar design
Eric Wallace: solar consultant
Microperts: game development
Sacramento Art Glass: metal shop
Dwellpoint: technology and lighting shop
Hackerlab: wood fabrication shop
Special thanks to Unbound Solar for their generous contribution of the state of the art solar technology, custom design, and technical support in launching The Beacon. Read more about Unbound Solar's contribution here.
The Recycle Challenge program was developed by Shira Lane of Atrium916, with the support of Sacramento City Councilman Eric Guerra, and generous funding from Sacramento Waste Authority.