WordPlay: SMiLE
-ON DISPLAY NOW-
Illuminate, in collaboration with artist Reuben Rude (known for the Street Whale on the Golden Mile), has debuted two playful new sculptures: SMiLE and KiND.
These pieces are designed as WordPlay sculptures, transforming simple messages into interactive art. The concept invites visitors to physically complete the words:
The "i" is missing: A human figure standing in the designated space completes the spelling, turning the sculpture into a moment of personal connection and fun.
The sculptures are built with a focus on durability and sustainability: They are constructed primarily using reclaimed wood, microcement and concrete. They are intentionally textured and painstakingly painted with multiple layers of paint and stain to create the illusion of age and dilapidation, while maintaining a bright and happy aesthetic.
These pieces are a perfect addition to the Golden Mile's spirit of accessible, joyful public art!
About the Artist
Reuben Rude was born in San Francisco, as the sun was setting on the Free Love era. His bohemian parents then moved “back to the land” to the woods of Northern California, where he spent the better part of his childhood without a television. This lack of technology forced him to spend almost every waking hour drawing and painting. When he moved back to the city to attend art school, he got into all the usual trouble with graffiti writers, skateboarders and art students. He now lives in San Francisco with his wife and eight-year-old daughter, and yes, a television. However, he still spends most of his waking hours drawing and painting. Sometimes he even gets paid for it.
