Perched atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, radiant in its captivating Gothic architecture complete with gargoyles, soaring, domed ceilings, towering stained glass windows, and labyrinths, is Grace Cathedral. Come October, the towering episcopal church will surpass its luminosity to become even more lucent as public art group Illuminate SF—the group behind Leo Villareal’s Bay Lights installation on the Bay Bridge—brings in a light installation by Berkeley artist George Zisiadis with original score composed by San Francisco-based Gabriel Gold.

Emanating from the eaves above the cathedral’s famed labyrinth is a 100-foot-tall shifting curtain of light enveloping visitors in an atmospheric haze. Viewers can lay down, bathing in light and sound, or stand outside in a meditative reverie for the 15-minute journey of synchronized illumination. Entitled Grace Light, Zisiadis used a 30k-lumen projector from Vulcan Inc. to create the ethereal experience. Paired with audio, the immersive installation is a ruminative work of art. Gold describes his sounds as “site-specific to acoustically resonant and ‘sacred spaces,’” which “[melds] the worlds of classical and modern composition with traditions of sacred music.” The artists hope to instill a space for contemplation, self-discovery, and healing. Let there be light.

Free to the public, Grace Light opens October 21 with 15-minuted showings at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. with ticketed entry.

Photo courtesy of Illuminate.

tagged in Gabriel Gold, George Zisiadis, grace cathedral, grace light, Illuminate SF