Created by Stephen Fairfield and Patrick Marcus, "Glory Pipes" was in the second installment of the Art in Roanoke (AIR) temporary exhibition from September 2010 to March 2012. Fairfield and Marcus’ vision is to create large-scale new media public art sculptures that respond to viewers’ presences and bring them into a new art experience. Their goal is the creation of sculpture that makes participants from observers and creates dynamic tension and motion. On their application cover page for the exhibition, the artists explained that “Glory Pipes” consisted of aluminum pipes that had carved openings where colored lights would “burst” forth in changing patterns and colors. The LEDs were controlled by a computer-programmed microprocessor.

About the artist:
They have been collaborating since 2004, with Fairfield taking the lead in the initial conceptualization of the sculpture and its fabrication, and Marcus in the conceptualization and execution of electronic technology, computer programming, and metallic coatings technology. Visit Fairfield's website at fairfieldenterprises.wordpress.com to learn more about this sculpture.

About AIR:
Since 2002, the City of Roanoke has designated 1 % of funds for certain capital projects to purchase or display art in the city. The program is overseen by the 19-member Council-appointed Roanoke Arts Commission. Art for Everyone, the city’s first public art plan, was adopted by the City Council in 2006.

AIR is a project of the City of Roanoke’s Percent for Art Program, established to provide public art in city neighborhoods and public places to reflect the community’s vibrancy and heritage.

Sourced from:
Information was obtained from documents by the Arts Council of the Roanoke Valley.