Inflorescence &
Luminous Waveforms
by Liz Hickok, Phil Spitler, and Victoria Heilweil
Inflorescence, an immersive art installation, was completed in April 2022 at 250 Third Street (the Paseo next to Akane restaurant). Conceived by San Francisco artists Liz Hickok and Phil Spitler, Inflorescence includes photographic and augmented reality depictions of California poppies and other indigenous wildflowers printed on aluminum and installed with a glowing aura of lights after dark. The title Inflorescence refers to the arrangement of a cluster of flowers on a floral axis, and the process of flowering, but also appropriately suggests fluorescence and light. The artists were inspired by California poppies because they are delicate yet resilient survivors that are often the first to return after wildfires, drought and storms.
The second installation, Luminous Waveforms, consists of three benches constructed from a 100% sustainable rice hull material. Phil Spitler and Victoria Heilweil designed and fabricated the benches with rippling, colored lighting down the center, serving as seating for visitors to the Paseo.
The third installation, Shaken - Not Stirred, is a steel sculpture by Bay Area artist Richard Starks. Over the last 50 years, Starks has been fascinated by working metal into imagined shapes. The shapes he creates are inspired by the various things he dreamed up as a youngster - spending endless hours doodling with pencils and pens.
Inflorescence is a one-year temporary installation. Luminous Waveforms and Shaken - Not Stirred have both been purchased by Arts Los Altos with generous donations from local residents. We would like to recognize the following generous donors and thank them greatly for supporting Arts Los Altos in bringing multi-sensory public art to downtown Los Altos.
MAJOR DONORS
Sponsor of Inflorescence
Karen Druker
$5000
Chuck Lane and Ray Fernando
Sue and Ken Greathouse
Ginny and Rich Strock
$2000 to $4999