ILLUMINATE SF

FUTURE'S PAST

Kate Raudenbush (2010)

Installed: May 10, 2012 - July 17, 2014

Hayes Valley: Patricia's Green at Octavia and Hayes Streets

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Future’s Past was an intricate metal sculpture standing 24 feet tall, that told a story of civilization being reclaimed by nature. First exhibited at Burning Man in 2010, the mysterious, temple-like structure graced Patricia’s Green for two years, evoking an archeological account of another time, or even an alien culture. The 12-foot base of the piece harkened an ancient pyramid. Springing from its top was an ornate 12-foot Bodhi tree, a symbol of freedom from earthly attachments. At night, eerie green light shone through the finely cut, circuit board-like patterns in the base’s walls. Like truly relevant science fiction, the story told was a parable for our civilization's possible fate

Artist: Kate Raudenbush is a New York City-based artist who creates allegorical environments as a form of social dialogue. Her work references and weaves together such diverse sources as sacred geometry, Hindu creation myth, Native American art, Mayan architecture, D.N.A. strands, water, time, consciousness, computer circuitry, Buddhist symbolism, environmental sustainability, meditation, and self-empowerment. She utilizes welded and laser-cut metal, acrylic, mirror, sound and light to shape her designs into enveloping environments and sacred spaces that are given more meaning with each visitor’s participation. In this way, the artwork is not just an object to behold, but also an experience to be lived, fostering an awareness of our environment and social issues that resonate with the evolving conscience of our collective culture.