Culver Current
-- 2019 - On Going
ERC-721 | Total: 0009
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Culver Current
Culver Current is a permanent public art installation by new media artist Nate Mohler, located in the Dale Jones Courtyard of Culver City Hall. Standing nine feet tall and nearly four feet in diameter, the sculpture is a modern reinterpretation of the public fountain—replacing water with generative light, sound, and motion to form a digital monument reflective of Culver City’s creative and technological spirit.The cylindrical sculpture is constructed from custom thermoformed Corian®, a durable, translucent material that has been precisely CNC-milled to form a series of concentric ripples—evoking the patterns of flowing water or radio frequency waves. These undulating grooves are designed to catch and diffuse light, animating the surface with a soft, ethereal glow.Beneath the surface, 494 individually addressable LED panels wrap the full height of the sculpture. These screens display a rotating series of generative video artworks created by Mohler, each drawing from the textures, colors, and rhythms of Culver City and Los Angeles. From sun-drenched urban landscapes and abstract architectural reflections to organic swirls inspired by nature and infrastructure, the visuals are designed to evolve over time, creating a living, breathing portrait of the city.Accompanying the visuals is an original ambient score by composer Luke Mombrea, spatially mixed to fill the courtyard with subtle sound textures that ebb and flow in harmony with the visuals—immersing passersby in a contemplative sensory experience.The inspiration behind Culver Current stems from the idea of connectivity—both digital and communal. Like the current of electricity that powers a city or the cultural current that shapes its identity, the sculpture acts as a beacon of continuous motion, change, and renewal. It invites viewers to pause, reflect, and engage with their surroundings in a new way—merging the physical and the virtual, the historical and the futuristic.As a centerpiece in the heart of civic life, Culver Current pays homage to the city’s legacy in film, art, and innovation—serving not only as a public artwork, but as a dynamic symbol of place and progress.
2019
About Culver Current“This sculpture is a reflection of the past, a moment in the present, and a discussion of the future” said Mohler, who investigates connectivity and audience participation through unconventional space and immersive art. Having grown up near Culver City, Mohler wanted to mirror the Culver City community and tap into the inspiration the city gave him professionally.The City of Culver City commissioned the project, with support from Christine Byers of the Cultural Affairs Commission and City Council. Irina Panasyuk of IVP Public Art facilitated artist selection, project coordination, and public outreach. A dedicated team of professionals, including Jacob Fishman, Ruben Jimenez of Eastside LED and welder Eric Vrymoed, worked with Mohler on the project since its inception. Mario Romano of the design engineering studio M.R. Walls oversaw the fabrication of the Corian® shell and created the custom-cut surface based on natural lines found in the ripples of water and sand.Major support for Culver Current is provided by Culver City’s Art in Public Places Program and Cultural Affairs Committee committed to preserving and supporting the arts. Commissioned through the Cultural Trust Fund, Major Meghan Sahli-Wells states “we hope this artwork will inspire, entertain, and enlighten the entire community.” Culver Current is the beacon of light that celebrates the 30+ years of Art in Public Places program.
Team
Jacob Fishman - Lead Producer
Ruben Jimenez - LED /Power Specialist
Mario Romano - Corian Fabrication
Eric Vrymoed - Steel Fabrication
Irina Panasyuk - Public Art Coordinator
Christine Byers - Culver City
Louise Coffey-Webb - Culver City
Richard Lewis
Phil Geronilla
Jackson Kurtz
Carlo Gomez
Andrew Hulin
Special thanks to the people of Culver City, the City Hall staff, and everyone else who helped on this project.
City Council Members:
Mayor Meghan Shali-Wells
Vice Mayor Goran Eriksson
Alex Fisch
Daniel lee
Thomas Aujero Small
Cultural Affairs Commissioners:
Chair Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin
Vice Chair Zoltan Pali
Len Dickter
Tania Fleischer
Brenda Williams