Every Beating Second, sculpture by Janet Echelman
Every Beating Second is a large net sculpture by artist Janet Echelman in San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2, completed in 2011. The installation consists of three woven fiber forms suspended from steel supports beneath skylights, creating shifting shadows on the floor during the day and glowing with colors from indigo to red-orange at night.
Artist Janet Echelman created this work in 2011 as part of San Francisco International Airport's public art collection. The sculpture was designed to transform a busy airport terminal while blending contemporary technology with traditional fiber-knotting craft techniques.
The title comes from a line by poet Allen Ginsberg and reflects the artist's goal to remind visitors about living in the moment. The colors and shapes draw from 1960s psychedelic music and the city's creative spirit, celebrating San Francisco's tradition of blending art, nature, and innovation.
The sculpture is located in Terminal 2 of San Francisco International Airport where visitors can see it while passing through. The installation changes throughout the day as natural sunlight creates shifting shadows and computer-controlled lights illuminate it at night with changing colors.
Computer-controlled fans create gentle movement throughout the sculpture, making the soft fibers appear to sway and breathe despite being solid and anchored. The design also subtly hints at the silhouette of the Golden Gate Bridge through its shapes and shadows.
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