A 25-foot-tall obelisk created from reclaimed bicycle parts is a sparkling new addition to Davis’ public artworks, according to a story published in the Davis Enterprise.
On Tuesday, artists installed “The Davis Needle,” which rises from the center of the Third Street and University Avenue intersection. The city of Davis commissioned it in 2011 as part of the Third Street Improvement project. While it's in the city, it's definitely in the UC Davis neighborhood, and highly visible from campus.
“I feel like I’ve been working on it my whole life,” artist Mark Grieve joked on Tuesday morning, as he adjusted the base before a forklift hoisted the sculpture into place. Crowds gathered to watch the installation, some of them enjoying lunch or beverages at two adjacent restaurants.
“The Davis Needle” is constructed of some 100 kids’ bikes and other bike parts. It’s the finishing touch to the city’s Third Street Corridor project improvements, linking UC Davis and downtown Davis.
Artists Grieve and Ilana Spector designed and built the sculpture, and Mike Hollibaugh of Holly Solar devised and installed the internal LED lighting system. At night, an animated sequence of random, fluid lights will surge through the sculpture.
Rachel Hartsough, the city’s arts and culture manager, was there for the installation, and excited about its arrival. “The real surprise will be after dark, when the whole thing lights up and sparkles on the hour.”
