A Sculptural Evolution and the Urban Revival of Bay to Park Paseo
San Diego has a rich history of site-specific sculpture and minimalist installation art. Following in the footsteps of Robert Irwin, Roman de Salvo, and Michael James Armstrong, the Journeyworm is a hanging sculpture that plays subtly with light and opacity. It hangs at the temporary entrance to San Diego High School, between old Eucalyptus trees. Each day, hundreds of students walk under the sculpture’s swaying panels.
Benjamin Arcia of McCullough Landscape Architecture led a team of fellow designers in the creation of this piece. The sculpture is made of fishing line, cable rigging, fishing weights, mosquito screening, and clothespins, all materials that relate to Benjamin’s childhood in Miami.
The Journeyworm was originally conceived as a cocoon-like structure that referred to the metamorphosis of being in high school. However, as the Journeyworm team began experimenting with materials, they found that the story and the form of the sculpture was changing of its own volition, a sort of Ouija board in three dimensions. The cocoon narrative fell away, and the art piece that emerged came from spending hours playing with cables and fabric in the back patio at Futuro.
Special credit is due to Mario-Ezequiel Magallanes and David McCullough, without whom this project could not have been possible. Additional input and help came from Haneen Khater (DBRDS), Diane Borys (Noctiluca), and David Michael (TECTURE).
Come visit the Journeyworm at different times of the day to commune with its swaying grayscale gradient and lose yourself within its shifting topographic patterns. Rumor has it that if you stare at it long enough, you can see the primordial moment just before the Big Bang and the creation of time and space.
The Journeyworm design process
The Bay to Park Paseo Initiative: Cultivating Urban Connections
In a nod to visionary urban planner John Nolen's 1908 vision, the Bay to Park Paseo Initiative breathes new life into San Diego's urban landscape. Championed by a coalition of community leaders, this initiative aims to rejuvenate Park Boulevard, bridging the gap between San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.
Thirteen teams, each with their own distinctive vision, are transforming Park Boulevard into an outdoor gallery, igniting the streets with temporary art installations alongside the Journeyworm. This vibrant endeavor is part of the San Diego-Tijuana region's World Design Capital program, celebrating creativity and culture.
"Creating enjoyable walkable streets produces many benefits for health, happiness, safety, and property values," remarks the Bay to Park Paseo team.
Led by the dedicated efforts of volunteers from Urban Interventions and the Downtown San Diego Public Spaces Foundation, a division of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the Bay to Park Paseo promises an immersive pedestrian experience. Co-creators Pete Garcia and Beth Callender envision a revitalized Park Boulevard as a gateway to San Diego's crown jewels, fostering a sense of community and connection.
With three projects already unveiled and the grand opening slated for April, anticipation mounts for the transformation of Park Boulevard into a vibrant cultural corridor, echoing the Journeyworm's luminous path. Stay tuned for further updates as San Diego embraces its artistic evolution, guided by the intertwined spirits of art, innovation, and collaboration.