CARUSO'S DREAM

Brian Goggin and Dorka Keehn (2014)
Permanent
Central Market: 55 Ninth Street, south of Market Street (View Map)

features 13 pianos created from materials that draw on the history of the area, including vintage chicken-wire glass and pilings from the old Transbay Terminal. This permanent site-specific artwork dangles from the 17-story residential high-rise AVA 55 Ninth Street building in SoMa, and is inspired by the moment when opera star Enrico Caruso was awakened by the Great Calamity of April 18, 1906 while staying at the Palace Hotel. He did not know if he was awake or still dreaming as he walked to the window to see the results of the ongoing earthquake.

By tuning into short-range broadcast 90.9 FM from 4 p.m. until 10 a.m. (within a block of the artwork), discerning listeners may be serenaded by the Caruso recording that inspired the light visualization dancing through the pianos. Commissioned and funded by developer Avalon Bay through the City's one-percent-for-arts program.

Best Viewing: Stand on the sidewalk below the artwork or across the street to see the warm light emanating from the pianos from dusk to dawn. Tune into short-range broadcast 90.9 FM to hear accompanying Caruso recordings.