Kohl Center light sculptures to brighten arena’s plaza

Twelve high-tech light sculptures designed and built by University of Wisconsin–Madison art professors are being placed along the two Dayton Street promenades leading to the Kohl Center.

The 17-foot-tall sculptures, funded privately by a gift from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, whose substantial gift led to the construction of the Kohl Center in the late 1990s, are intended to add dimension and color to the plaza and front lawn of the arena.

The light sculptures, designed by faculty members Steven Feren and Gail Simpson, consist of a light standard supported by a stainless steel structure and wrapped with ribbons of bronze. The sculptures are mounted on decorative precast concrete bases.

“We’ve created something that’s celebratory. They combine light, architectural form and the ribbons add activity and movement,” says Feren. “We wanted to add to the excitement of the place and add color and life to that plaza.”

Color will be available in abundance. Each of the sculptures contains 200 energy-efficient LED lights, which are computer controlled and are capable of generating millions of color variations — ranging from a single, solid hue to brilliant, ever-changing combinations of colors.

Feren says the ability to change the appearance of the sculptures, which have been in the works for about three years, will add interest to the plaza.

“We also wanted something that’s active and reveals itself over time. Each time you come back to it, it will be different and exciting,” he says.

Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for facilities, says the sculptures will add appeal and excitement to the 10-year-old building’s surroundings.

“This is a special place and we want people to be excited to be there,” Fish says. “Senator Kohl’s gift helps to make that possible. I can see these sculptures as providing some impressive and vivid exterior shots for television networks broadcasting Wisconsin sports from the Kohl Center.”