An interactive piece of art lies camouflaged within the Southmoor light rail station
Photo by Ed Gloor
Opened to the public on November 17, 2006 the Southmoor light rail station features a unique, interactive display of public art that many enjoy on their trips to the light rail, but few unlock the true secret the art offers to its spectators.
Within the Southmoor light rail station, a pedestrian tunnel extends directly underneath I-25 from the east side to the west side of the highway, allowing its passengers to travel from the parking lot, fare machines, and bus station to the light rail boarding platforms. The tunnel is lit by successive columns of light, which are part of a large art exhibit designed by Christopher Janney entitled Harmonic Pass: Denver. The columns are various colors and contain built in photoelectric sensors and an audio speaker that are triggered by passing individuals, creating a blend of light and sound throughout the tunnel. “The pillars of light are really a fun and unique part of the light rail station that makes a trip on the light rail a better, more fun experience. Everyone that uses the light rail station really seems to enjoy the sounds and colors and just playing around with the motion sensors,” said Junior Cole Stewart.
Those who frequently pass though the station are familiar with the lights and sounds inside the tunnel, but can often be unaware of its true uniqueness and character. At each end of the tunnel – etched on a plaque – is a riddle written for the station’s users to decipher. Once the readers have decoded the riddle they are to follow its instructions and trigger the correct columns in a specific pattern. If done correctly, the tunnel responds with a dance of light and sound. “A group of friends and I went to try to solve the riddle and trigger the response ourselves,” said Junior Mitch Moore. “It was a cleaver riddle. It didn’t take too long to solve but it was fun to decipher it. It was interesting that it was hidden. I have been to the light rail before many times and have never seen it.”
The riddle is a short, almost poetic passage with a lyrical rhythm. “When I went to try the puzzle myself, the riddle was not too difficult for me and the group I was with to figure out. It is phonetically written, making it look more difficult than it actually is. We had a good time solving it and enjoyed the tunnel’s response to the correct answer to the riddle,” said Junior Daniel Wakefield.
For those who take the time to solve the riddle, the tunnel’s sounds go off all at once and the colorful pillars flash and blink, generating a dance of light and sound. “The lights went off in an interesting pattern, and at the same time all the sounds played. I never would have guessed the tunnel could do that. We all felt really accomplished figuring out the riddle,” said Stewart.
The Southmoor community gained access to the new light rail system first created here in Denver in 1994, allowing for an easier commute around the city. The Southmoor station is nearing its fifth year of service and now sees an average of 4,297 passengers per day. “I like having the light rail so close to my house because its very convenient and makes going downtown a whole lot easier, not having to deal with parking,” said Wakefield.
Janney, the artist of Harmonic Pass: Denver is a world-renowned artist and architect known for his creative use of sound in his public displays of art. His art is featured in cities all over the U.S. from Sacramento, CA to the subway stations of New York City as well as in various parts of Europe. In 2007, Janney released a book on his works entitled Architecture of the Air.
