Cactus Mirage Norie Sato		Print This Page Email This Page

Location

McDowell Mountain Ranch Park and Aquatic Center
15525 North Thompson Peak Parkway

Scottsdale, AZ

For McDowell Mountain Park Ranch and Aquatic Center hours and fees— http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/mmr.asp

Description

Completed: January 12, 2007

Materials: stainless steel, acrylic, mylar, aluminum

The result of an ideal collaboration between the artist and project architect Phil Weddle, Cactus Mirage, a 30’ x 40’, acrylic scrim enclosure was inspired by the idea of light and change in the desert and the segmented forms of the native barrel cactus. This prominent focal point on the pool deck also serves as the front façade of the water slide tower while relating seamlessly with the architectural vocabulary of the building and the surrounding landscape.

Visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the aquatic center, Cactus Mirage immediately captures the attention of visitors as they enter the building’s grand foyer.

The passive kinetic wall is activated by natural breezes—a framework of colorful mylar discs suspended behind the acid etched acrylic flutter at random and reflect a rainbow of hues in proportion to the changing sunlight. On the front of the partition, an abstract composition of gently flickering patterns interlaced with architectural lines and figural shadows is cast through the wall by people moving up the stairwell to the waterslide.

To view more of Norie Sato’s work—

http://www.4culture.org/publicart/registry/plans/plans_artist.asp?ArtistID=13

FAQs

What exactly is Cactus Mirage?

Cactus Mirage is a 30’ x 40’ scrim wall. It is constructed of stainless steel, acrylic, aluminum and thousands of small pieces of mylar dots.

Does this piece of public art have a

function other than to visually enhance the area?

Yes, in addition to providing a stunning visual anchor to the pool deck, Cactus Mirage masks the giant 1-tube water slide tower from the aquatic center and its surrounding neighborhoods.

How do I find Cactus Mirage?

Cactus Mirage is the centerpiece of the pool area at the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center. The awe-inspiring scrim wall can be seen from the parking lot through the floor-to-ceiling windows, before one even enters the lobby

of the aquatic center.

When is the best time of day to view Cactus Mirage?

This dynamic artwork provides a fresh experience each time it is viewed. The recommended time of day to visit this ever-changing public art piece is early in the morning. In the early morning, rays of sunlight directly hit the tiny mylar pieces on the back side of the scrim wall,  producing the maximum amount of varied and shimmering colors on the front of the wall and pool deck. On bright afternoons, the cast silhouettes created by the moving forms of swimmers climbing the water slide tower behind Cactus Mirage provide a compelling cinematic experience.

Project Coordinator

Kirstin Van Cleef

kirstinv@sccarts.org

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