Desert Crescent
by Tidhar (TD) Ozeri
Sponsor: Bellovin & Karnas, P.C.
Nonprofit: Tucson Hebrew Academy

As an artist who moved to Tucson from Israel two years ago, I find myself continually awestruck by the powerful beauty of the Southwest. The dramatic rock formations (from mountains and cliffs to gravel) and ever-changing hues of the sunset are of particularly strong influence. I have incorporated these elements into this sculpture, which follows the curve of the crescent moon, rattlesnake’s rattle or scorpion’s tail. This piece stands about 6' tall; it measures 4' x 4' at the base, tapering to a point at the top. It is constructed of hollow “boulders” made from sheets of steel welded together with a rustic finish. The sculpture is illuminated from within. Filtered lights in the colors of an Arizona sunset (mustard yellow, orange, pink, blue, gray and white) shine through slits of varying shapes and sizes cut into the sides of the “boulders.”

In the light of day, the presence of this piece is defined by the shape, color and texture of the steel “boulders,” like the rugged terrain of the desert. At night, the external shape fades as the colored lights shine from within, creating an ethereal effect of multi-colored planes suspended in the darkness at varying angles, shapes, sizes and heights.

The illumination for this sculpture is solar-powered, according to the specifications provided by Tucson Electric Power, utilizing up to eight light bulbs. The micro power plant supplied by TEP is hidden in the large “boulders” at the base of the sculpture, where there is sufficient space for the battery and electronic controller (see sketch: Detail – Housing for Micro Power Plant). Slits in the metal surface of the “boulders” close to the components provide adequate ventilation for the micro power plant. In order to enable access to the micro power plant and bulbs, some surfaces of the “boulders” are removable, held in place by hinges or screws. One of the surfaces of the base is large enough to house a photovoltaic panel at the angle specified by TEP for maximum solar exposure. The photovoltaic panel will be held in place by carriage bolts and raised from the metal surface with spacers.