SAN DIEGO—Public art adds an experiential element in urban environments that provides people with a new way to experience a city, Bosa Development California II Inc.'s VP US development and operations Andrea Jones tells GlobeSt.com. Jaume Plensa, best known for monumental sculptures in public spaces across international destinations from Chicago to Venice, Italy, has unveiled the rendering of his first Downtown San Diego public installation entitled Pacific Soul that will be on display in the public plaza at Pacific Gate by Bosa luxury residences.

Scheduled to be installed in late 2017, the sculpture will be located at the emerging gateway to Downtown at the corner of Pacific and Broadway. We spoke with Jones about the installation and how it impacts today's urban development.

GlobeSt.com: What stands out for you about this particular art installation?

Jones: What struck us about Mr. Plensa's work is its connection to nature, his use of multiple languages and the human form to illustrate a cultural concept about humanity. Downtown San Diego is, as is the state of California, one of the most culturally diverse places in the country, and we are honored that Plensa selected Downtown and Pacific Gate by Bosa's public plaza for his first San Diego public installation.

Pacific Soul is Plensa's most ambitious sculpture in California to date. It will be composed of the characters from eight different alphabets including Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Cyrillic, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and Hindi. Pacific Soul draws its inspiration from the roots of rainforest trees, since the sculpture grows from organic, wrapping, root-like ribbons that create the shape of the human body made from language. Plensa believes language to be the self portrait of a culture; he utilizes alphabets as a metaphor, joining together humanity through art.

GlobeSt.com: How do public art installations relate to today's urban development?

Jones: In cities that are growing, changing and evolving, including Downtown San Diego, there are many new offerings for locals and visitors to see, do, taste and feel. Public art adds an experiential element in urban environments that provide people with a new way to experience a city. Public art is free and open to the public 24/7 and can be experienced alone or in groups. It adds to a city's identity and creates a sense of community. For cities looking to attract more residents and visitors, public art—especially by a renowned artist or with an installation that commands attention and discussion—is a great draw to bring people near and far to a city.

GlobeSt.com: How does art play a role in the creation of successful urban neighborhoods?

Jones: We need public art because it improves our quality of life, because it makes us stop and open our eyes; because it transforms a city, spurs conversation and builds community and civic pride. With Downtown San Diego in the midst of historic change, including more than $6.4 billion in the development pipeline over the next decade, it is impossible to have a society that is civil and educated without public art. Downtown San Diego, in particular, is the perfect canvas for public art. Its coastal beauty, temperate year-round weather, walkability, connection to the sea and laid-back and creative lifestyle all create an environment that invites residents and visitors to get outdoors as much as possible, to interact with each other and their surroundings.

Strong public art installations give neighborhoods a stronger sense of belonging somewhere, their own sense of place, and a solid sense of identity that creates loyalty, productivity and joy.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about public art installations?

Jones: Pacific Soul will be Bosa Development's third public art installation in Downtown San Diego. The Grand Building has an installation by New York-based Spencer Finch, and the other is at Bayside by London-based Shirazch Houshiary. One of Nat Bosa's guiding principles is to bring as much beauty and other contributions to the success of a city as possible, whether it is through his architecturally iconic residential towers, support of local schools focused on underserved communities or public art.

Art has a big influence on how businesses run and how commerce is established. It reflects a better life and a better state of mind. Art makes valuable contributions when discussed and created by the private sector, planners, engineers, designers, officials and community stakeholders who are involved in planning a city's future. Public art becomes a reflection of its city and its future and has a key role in elevating a unique and vibrant destination.

GlobeSt.com: What stands out for you about this particular art installation?

GlobeSt.com: How do public art installations relate to today's urban development?

GlobeSt.com: How does art play a role in the creation of successful urban neighborhoods?

Strong public art installations give neighborhoods a stronger sense of belonging somewhere, their own sense of place, and a solid sense of identity that creates loyalty, productivity and joy.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about public art installations?

Instant Insights /

What Public Art Installations Do for Urban Development

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