Nepenthes, Light sculpture collection in Old Town Chinatown, Portland, US
Nepenthes is a collection of four tall sculptures lining Northwest Davis Street, each standing about 17 feet high and shaped to resemble tropical pitcher plants. Each structure is crafted from steel and fitted with photovoltaic panels that collect solar energy during the day to power nighttime lighting.
The installation was commissioned in 2013 by the Regional Arts and Culture Council and designed by artist Dan Corson for the Portland Mall Project. This project represented a shift in how the city approached public art, combining technology with artistic vision.
The sculptures serve as a bridge between Old Town Chinatown and the Pearl District, bringing together natural forms and modern technology in public art. When you walk past at night, you experience how contemporary installations shape the character of the neighborhood.
The sculptures are easily accessible on foot in Old Town Chinatown along a walkable street route. The best time to visit is after dark, when the solar-powered lighting activates and the installations are fully visible.
The installation draws its design from actual tropical pitcher plants, where form and function work together. This approach to natural design later inspired similar projects in other North American cities.
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