Pylons Of The “Corridor Of Light” Installed In Rosslyn

The long-awaited public art installation in Rosslyn is finally becoming a reality.

According to a news article by ARLnow, the first four stainless steel pylons of the "Corridor of Light" project have been installed along N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn, on either end of the bridge over 1-66. The installation of the pylons began this past Monday, with the lighting and electrical connections expected to be complete by Monday, May 25. The project, which was first envisioned in 2008 by California-based artist Cliff Garden, is a three-phase, 3-year effort to create a new urban identity for Rosslyn's central corridor.  It involves a "succession of soaring and electro-polished stainless steel sculptures, wired with environmentally friendly programmable lights." Arlington Cultural Affairs spokesman Jim Byers said passersby can expect “splashes of light fractured into a multitude of effects.” “Ultimately, the sculptures of stainless steel rods will be enhanced with an LED lighting scheme designed and programmed by the artist,” Byers said. “Prior to the artist programming the lights, the initial lighting plan will serve as a beacon for all Arlingtonians to reflect on our community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” The project has been beset by delays since it had to wait for the construction of the Lynn Street Esplanade project. The County Board approved a $1 million contract with Garten for the first four sculptures in 2016 but the first phase of the project, which was a  Garten-designed LED light display near the Rosslyn Metro station, dubbed " Gravity and Grace," was installed in 2018, according to the county. A third phase would involve the installation of additional lighted Luminous Bodies pylons on the N. Meade Street bridge over Route 50. So far, there’s no word as to when that might take place.

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