Luminous Crossings

As we continue exploring Calgary’s public art, north of City Hall we discover one of the illuminating two gateway stations of the 7th Avenue light rail corridor. Luminous Crossings is a collection of 20 sculptures of two large-scale towers at each end and three hanging works on each of the four station platforms. A subtly engineered interaction of material and light conveying the concept of connections through rail travel in sync with the arrival, docking, and departure of trains synced with changing of coloured lights.

These stainless-steel sculptures at City Hall Station on the east end of Calgary’s downtown rail corridor and the Kerby Station on the west end is the work of Cliff Garten. Cliff enjoys re-imagining sculptural expressions of engineered public structures and places, by connecting people to places through sculptural material, social history, and ecology performing beyond its basic function.

Based on switching diagrams for train tracks, the 25' feet tall towers on the ends of the platforms represent rails spiralling helical upwards representing the sky is the limit with interconnecting rail travel. Designed as an intermediate transition between the tall buildings and the pedestrians. Inspired by the chandeliers in the Palliser Hotel hang RR-Crossing shaped illuminated hanging sculptures bringing to mind a lobby or living room. The dynamic outdoor platforms invite one to enter the city’s center or prepare one for a journey to far-off exotic places.

During the day the brushed stainless steel is impressive, and better viewed at night with the LED lights projecting shattering spectral colours. Luminous Crossings is Calgary’s public art that can brighten up your life. While you are exploring one station, be sure to take a free train ride through the Calgary’s downtown core and be sure to visit the outer luminous station.