A Paintbrush or Two as Big as the Ritz!

For several years the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission has been working on what could possibly be one of the greatest public investments in art that this community has ever undertaken. Granted the city has invested in many projects that have there rightful place in the cultural landscape. A few of those projects that come to mind are Stephen Hendee's 2007 Monument to the Simulacrum, which was one of the City of Las Vegas' Centennial projects. The monument sits in Centennial Plaza above the vault that contains the city's time capsule. The other project that comes to mind is the 2005 Breaking Ground sculpture by Steven Ligouri located at Mary Dutton Park. Both of these projects are located in Downtown and within walking distance of my home.

Engagement 1997 Reno, NV
(photo by Brian Paco Alvarez)

This year the city will be installing the long anticipated Paintbrush Gateways by world renowned artist Dennis Oppenheim. Dennis has completed dozens of major public art installations throughout the world. The first exposure I had to his work was at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno (Engagement 1997). After viewing his work both in Reno and in Southern California it is exciting to know that we will have Dennis showcase his work in our community.

The paint brushes, featured in the images below, will be installed this summer in 18b Las Vegas' Arts District. The two paintbrushes, each 50ft tall will be installed on Charleston near Las Vegas Boulevard and the other at Casino Center. When completed the two brushes will slightly tilt towards each other. At night they will be lit up with programmable LED lights that will dance in concert with each other while at the same time shoot out a laser light that will come to a point somewhere above Charleston creating a "gateway" to the arts district.

This project is anticipated to bring much attention to the growing neighborhood and create a destination attraction for many visitors to our city. I am personally looking forward to the night when these wonderful sculptures light up the night sky in one of Las Vegas' newest and coolest neighborhoods.

For more information on this project please visit these sites -
Dennis Oppenheim - http://www.dennis-oppenheim.com/
Las Vegas Arts Commission - http://www.lvartscommission.com/projects/paintbrush-gateway/
18b - Las Vegas' Arts District - http://18b.org/

Paintbrush Gateway, 2010

Galvanized steel, aluminum, perforated metal, acrylic rod, 
LED spotlights, LED string lights, searchight with color filters
Each element: 45' H x 5' in diameter
To be installed at Charleston Blvd at Main St 
and Charleston Blvd at Las Vegas Blvd

Commissioned by the City of Las Vegas

Rendering by D. Rittinger

Paintbrush Gateway, 2010

Galvanized steel, aluminum, perforated metal, acrylic rod, 
LED spotlights, LED string lights, searchight with color filters
Each element: 45' H x 5' in diameter
To be installed at Charleston Blvd at Main St 
and Charleston Blvd at Las Vegas Blvd

Commissioned by the City of Las Vegas

Rendering by D. Rittinger

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...