Tempe's Sun Garden project aims to bring Joseph O’Connell's vision to life

The project, designed by Joseph O’Connell, will feature nature-inspired sculptures.

PUBLISHED JUL 24, 2024

The artist Joseph O'Connell will be the brains and talent behind Sun Garden. (Photo: Camraderie by O'Connell and Blessing Hancock outside the veteran’s clinic in San Jose, CA)

Tempe, Arizona: Tempe’s Mill Avenue is set to become more vibrant with the installation of a new public art piece titled 'Sun Garden' at the railroad underpass between Broadway Road and Apache Boulevard. Slated for completion next spring, this artwork aims to enhance the visual appeal of the area and create a dynamic experience for commuters.

Slated for completion next spring, this artwork aims to enhance the visual appeal of the area. (Photo: Rendering of the finished project)

The 'Sun Garden' project, designed by Arizona-based artist Joseph O’Connell and Creative Machines, will feature nature-inspired sculptures made from steel and colored polycarbonate. These elements will rise from the terraced planters along the west side of the underpass, capturing sunlight and projecting colored shadows that change throughout the day.

A national artist competition led to the selection of O’Connell and his team. The design was influenced by input from public meetings with the local community and Tempe High School, reflecting the neighborhood's garden-inspired aesthetic. The installation will include 15 sculptures, and once power is added to the site, lighting will be incorporated to illuminate the underpass walls at night.

Once power is added to the site, lighting will be incorporated to illuminate the underpass walls at night. (Photo: Rendering of the finished project)

This project is part of Tempe's broader 'Refresh Tempe' initiative, which focuses on reinvesting in parks, streets, and public art to improve the city's infrastructure and quality of life. “This new public art piece will serve as a distinct marker for this vibrant neighborhood and the thousands who pass through the underpass daily,” said Mayor Corey Woods. The underpass sees about 18,000 vehicles daily, along with significant pedestrian and bike traffic.

Preliminary site preparations are already underway, with improvements to planters and concrete walls set to continue through the summer and fall. The installation of the sculptures is expected to begin in spring 2025, with intermittent traffic lane closures anticipated to ensure safe construction.

Who is Joseph O’Connell?

Joseph O’Connell is an artist based in Tucson and known for his use of light and motion in public art installations. He founded his studio, Creative Machines, in 1995, bringing together a diverse team of artists, engineers, architects, and fabricators to create site-specific sculptures that have been commissioned worldwide.

Joseph O'Connell at work in his studio. (Photo: josephoconnell.art)

His influence is drawn from a range of historical and artistic contexts, including the works of Calder, Serra, and di Suvero, and technological marvels from different eras. O’Connell has a particular interest in kinetic sculptures, which are often human-powered, creating a tangible connection between the viewer and the artwork. Notable projects include 'Chasing the Stars', a massive kinetic sculpture that allows people to interact with and move 14,000 pounds of steel.