“Sky Terrain” is a permanent installation of 18 sculptures at 11th and Montgomery Streets on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia. Rutstein was selected for this “One Percent for Art” Project by Committees from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and Temple University. The 5 x 10′ floating cloud sculptures constructed of bent, powder coated, steel start at the base of a newly built LEED-certified parking garage, and float up to the top of the five story building, breaking the architecture at the top of the structure.
In the daytime, the 16-gauge steel glistens and gleans in the sunlight, often casting shadows on the crème colored building supporting it. “Sky Terrain” also picks up hues from the surrounding buildings, sometimes appearing pink and blue. The ever-changing appearance of the installation is further enhanced by an animated lighting program in the evening.
Shortly before sunset until shortly after sunrise, the LED lighting program mimics sky tone variations from sunset to dusk to twilight (even simulating twinkling stars), and is meant to activate the space into a dynamic experience. It is an opportunity for the public to enjoy these nature-inspired phenomena in an urban environment.