| Permanent
exhibits: |
The Pavers start
the experience as soon as visitors touch ground.
A set of 74 embedded paving stones measuring
2 feet by 2 feet, the Pavers are etched with
scientific riddles, inspirational quotes, number
games, and delightful images, and lead visitors
along a pathway of discovery as they make their
way towards the Science Center entrance.
The California
Gate is a sculpture standing nearly
13 feet tall that, at first glance, appears
to be merely two abstract shapes of granite.
On closer inspection, visitors see that the
space between the two granite pieces is the
outline of the state of California. The sculpture
demonstrates the use of positive and negative
space. Each granite piece is engraved with
images that suggest what’s in the exhibition
halls of the Science Center.
The Robert
H. Lorsch Family Pavilion stands
an impressive 88 feet high and is 100 feet
in diameter. Inside a swirl of colored light
from a skylight made of dichroic glass fills
the Lorsch Pavilion and envelops visitors
in a color spectrum ranging from soft yellow
to deep purple, depending on the position
of the sun.
- The Aerial is
a hanging sculpture comprised of 1,578 spheres,
each covered in gold leaf and palladium leaf,
and varying in size from 3 inches to 7 inches.
The spheres are attached to 342 cables suspended
from the ceiling of the Lorsch Pavilion and
hang over the DNA Bench.
- The DNA
Bench is a sculpture representing
a cross-section of a DNA strand. The bench,
resembling a ring of rose petals from an
aerial perspective, is 30 feet in diameter,
2 feet high and made of Galaxy Black, Red
Multicolored and Kashmere granite. Thought-provoking
quotes from the likes of Maya Angelou,
Laotzu, Charles Darwin along with voices
representing a diversity of disciplines
are engraved in the bench along with delicate
images of living things. The top of the
bench is flat and invites visitors to sit
and gaze upward at the Aerial hanging overhead.
The
Aerial and DNA Bench combine to inspire reflections
on life, from the microscopic level to the
outer reaches of the universe.
|
| Background: |
The
California Science Center blends interactive
exhibits, a neighborhood science- and math-focused
elementary school, a science education resource
center for educators, parents and members of
community-based organizations, state-of-the-art
conference facilities, a new IMAX 3D theater,
innovative public spaces highlighting science
and art, enhanced dining areas and an expanded
retail shop. The California Science Center represents
a $130-million investment of private and public
funds for construction and exhibits. Annual attendance
is 1.5 million visitors, including more than
300,000 school children. |
