While many know him as the man who named a generation, Douglas Coupland will soon add bridge lighting artist to his lengthy list of accomplishments. Following an artist selection process during summer 2024, Mr. Coupland was announced as the successful candidate who will create a dynamic and striking lighting concept that will grace the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Mr. Coupland will work with the bridge’s technical team to develop a lighting program that uses more than 5,000 individual white lights to highlight the bridge towers, cables and deck while reinforcing the symbolic connection between Canada and the US.
In addition to his career as a novelist, Mr. Coupland has also created several public art commissions across Canada. His celebrated Northern Lights installation graces Calgary’s Telus Sky Tower. Its inspiration is the Aurora Borealis and is animated using thousands of LED lights, spanning 160,000 square feet. Another well-known commission is the Digital Orca sculpture in Vancouver unveiled in 2009, which allows the viewer to marvel at the way people and their activities created Vancouver's thriving harbour culture.
To give the community the opportunity to hear from Mr. Coupland in-person and share their thoughts on possible Canada-US themes for the Aesthetic Bridge Lighting Commission, Bridging North America will host a meet-the-artist meeting in Windsor. The meeting will include a short presentation highlighting the public art portfolio on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and a venue to share comments for the artist’s consideration as he develops the lighting concept.
Meet-the-Artist Community Meeting
Art Windsor-Essex (Solcz Family Suite - 3rd floor)
November 14, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Register before November 11
