Up and Down

Victoria Palermo
Up and Down
Wood, cast acrylic, dichroic film
2015


Climbing this staircase is the earthbound version of air travel – ascending and descending, arriving and departing. The artist conceived this sculpture as a fantastical counterpart to the existing architecture, and invites us to imagine where these iridescent steps might lead. What lends this piece its magical qualities is the application of dichroic film to the clear acrylic steps. When lit, these combined materials produce the mother-of-pearl-like flashes of color and reflection that change with the movement of the viewer. While flying high above, those gazing out their small windows might see something similar in the passing clouds and glinting sunlight.