Windsor, Ontario. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team is pleased to announce the artist for the project’s third and final Public Art commission, Aesthetic Bridge Lighting. Douglas Coupland, a contemporary visual artist, designer and novelist, will develop an artistic lighting concept that highlights the symbolic connection linking Canada and the U.S.
The artistic commission will include nearly 5,000 individual white bridge lights that complement the aesthetic form of the two bridge towers, the road deck edging and illuminate the cables through dynamic and static movement. The lighting concept will be unveiled in 2025.
In addition to many public art commissions throughout Canada, Coupland’s celebrated Northern Lights installation graces Calgary’s Telus Sky Tower. Its inspiration is the Aurora Borealis and is animated using thousands of lights.
Bridging North America will host a meet-the-artist meeting for community members to share their thoughts on possible themes for the Aesthetic Bridge Lighting commission. Advance registration is required.
Meet-the-Artist Community Meeting for Aesthetic Bridge Lighting
Art Windsor-Essex
November 14, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Register
QUOTES
“I can’t imagine a more stunning canvas than this bridge, a masterwork of globally recognized architect Erik Behrens. Its scope and ambition have been fully realized without compromise, and for me to use lighting to further bring it to life is both an honour, and a profound responsibility. I hope that when completed, the bridge will appear as though it is alive, and makes viewers proud of the close relationship these two countries share.”
- Douglas Coupland, Artist
"I cannot imagine a more unique and fitting canvas for Douglas Coupland’s next creation than the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Mr. Coupland’s light concept will delight and inspire communities on both sides of the border, and literally illuminate the strong connection between our two countries, and the excellence that can come of our continued great partnership.”
- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects more than two countries. It is also a symbol of an enduring friendship and shared environment for Windsor-Detroit, Ontario-Michigan and Canada-US. The Aesthetic Bridge Lighting commission will pay homage to the special relationship that exists at the Windsor-Detroit gateway.”
- Charl van Niekerk, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)
“BNA is thrilled to have Douglas Coupland as the selected artist for this very unique lighting feature to be installed on the Gordie Howe International Bridge. He has extensive experience in visual arts and previous lighting commissions and we can’t wait to see what he designs for this project”
- David Henderson, CEO, Bridging North America (BNA)
QUICK FACTS
- Aesthetic Bridge Lighting is identified as one of three public art commissions to be incorporated into the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The previous commissions include an artistic building façade created by Sara Graham and a standalone Indigenous artwork created by Michael Belmore.
- In addition to the artistic lighting commission, additional bridge lighting programs that feature movement, animation and intensity levels will further enhance nighttime views of the bridge towers and cables.
- The aesthetic bridge lighting does not include operational lights installed on the bridge, including street lighting and navigational lighting. Care is being taken to ensure all lighting mitigates possible effects on migratory birds or river-users
- Douglas Coupland’s works are in museums worldwide, and his 13 novels have been translated into 29 languages.
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ABOUT WINDSOR-DETROIT BRIDGE AUTHORITY
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. For more information on WDBA visit GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com and follow the project on Facebook.
ABOUT BRIDGING NORTH AMERICA
Bridging North America (BNA) became the private-sector partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in September 2018. BNA is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction and infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BNA partners have significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario; New Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montreal, Quebec; Autoroute 30 in Montreal, Quebec; Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Ontario; Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal, Quebec; Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, California; Harbor Bridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, California.
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Gordie Howe International Bridge
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