Named for the brightest star in the sky that is also known as the North Star, the “Polaris” sculpture has helped to completely transform what was otherwise an empty plaza in Fairbanks, Alaska. Directly and indirectly referencing themes and history that define the community, the sculpture allows audiences to interact with it in various ways. Doing so has enabled various experiences that have contributed to it becoming Fairbanks’ newest landmark.
Celebrating the Beauty, Climate and History of Fairbanks
The Illinois Street Reconstruction Project has long history that stretches all the way back to the 1960s. A major piece of the project was defined with the construction of a new bridge in 2010, but that development left a plot of green space at the end of Illinois street. This compelled a Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System committee to put out an international call for art submissions that would more fully transform the space.
A design from British Columbia artists Cheryl Hamilton and Michael Vandermeer was selected from 99 entries. Called “Polaris”, their sculpture features reflective spires that are meant to serve as a testament to the rugged beauty, climate and history of Fairbanks. Built to withstand the elements, viewers can literally see themselves in the piece which has numerous references to ice crystals, gold and the Aurora Borealis, all of which allow audiences to interpret and interact with the sculpture in different ways.
The lighting of the piece is designed to change with the sky and the environment that is reflected in the light display built into the sculpture. As part of that, programmed LED lighting shifts color the sculpture during the dark months of the year, creating a direct connection with the Aurora Borealis. Additionally, the longest spire of the piece points directly at the North Star, further alluding to the state flag of Alaska that prominently features Polaris.
These understandings and experiences are in addition to the markers that detail the history of Fairbanks on the surrounding plaza. Audiences can learn about everything from how the early pioneers overcame hardships to what traveling on the Chena river means to the efforts of the Athabascan people to protect their traditional lifeways.
This combination of history and culture has transformed what was otherwise an empty spot in a hub of activity for Fairbanks into a plaza that engages audiences in multiple ways. Doing so illustrates how monuments can completely change a space for the benefit of an entire community
A Legacy for the Hardworking People of Fairbanks
Dedicated to the hardworking people of Fairbanks, the “Polaris” sculpture is connected to a community legacy that spans multiple eras of the city. It has become a landmark that is referenced on multiple guides and maps, underscoring the transformative power that such pieces can enable when connecting the past to the present for the benefit of audiences in all eras.
