Stunning New Sculpture ‘Node’ Installed at San Francisco’s Moscone Station

A striking new sculpture, titled Node, has just found its place in the plaza outside Moscone Station, located at the intersection of Fourth and Clementina streets. This eye-catching tendril, crafted from stainless steel, appears to grow directly from the ground, reaching dramatically toward the sky.

Details of the Installation

Installed early Sunday morning without much fanfare, the sculpture was carefully assembled before being raised into position. Originally commissioned in 2013 for $1.45 million, the piece was completed long ago and had been in storage, awaiting the completion of the Central Subway and the right moment for its unveiling.

Artist Background and Creative Vision

Roxy Paine, the artist behind Node, was chosen from a pool of 154 applicants. The funding for this artwork derives from San Francisco’s 2% Art Enrichment Ordinance, which mandates that large construction projects allocate a portion of their budget towards public art initiatives.

Paine characterizes the sculpture as an “enormous bio-industrial rhizomatic organism,” describing it as “an elegant line connecting earth to sky, people to underground systems and sculpture to city.” Over the past two decades, Paine has developed a reputation for his organic steel sculptures, including his notable piece titled “Conjoined,” located at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Height Record and Visual Impact

Marking an achievement in the local art landscape, Node stands a remarkable 102 feet tall, now earning the title of the tallest sculpture in San Francisco. This surpasses the previous record held by Venus, a 92-foot chrome sculpture by Lawrence Argent, which is not visible from the street.

The design of Node is particularly noteworthy, with its base measuring 48 inches in diameter and tapering to just half an inch at the top, creating a visually arresting effect that seems to defy gravity.

A Landmark Addition to the City

Dorka Keehn, the former chair of the San Francisco Arts Commission’s visual arts committee and a member of the selection panel for Paine’s commission, remarked, “It’s a way-finder and an amazing feat of fabrication. It’s going to be seen from everywhere.” The sculpture offers a new visual landmark for the area, encouraging visitors to explore the less-trafficked Muni station nearby.

Location and Accessibility

For those interested in witnessing this new addition to San Francisco’s public art scene, Node is conveniently located on Fourth Street. It is situated across from the Children’s Creativity Museum and next to the Canopy by Hilton, which was formerly known as the Virgin Hotel.

Conclusion

This spectacular installation not only enriches the urban landscape but also invites the public to engage with art in a new and intriguing way.