By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team has announced that renowned Canadian artist Douglas Coupland will lead the Aesthetic Bridge Lighting, the bridge’s third and final public art commission.
Known for his contemporary visual artistry, design and novels, Coupland will develop a lighting concept to illuminate the symbolic connection between Canada and the U.S. The commission will involve nearly 5,000 individual white bridge lights, enhancing the form of the bridge towers, road deck edging, and cables through dynamic and static movement. The design concept will be unveiled in 2025.
In anticipation of the project, Bridging North America (BNA) will host a “meet-the-artist” event, inviting community members to discuss possible themes for the bridge’s lighting design. The event will take place on Nov. 14, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Art Windsor-Essex.
Coupland said, “I can’t imagine a more stunning canvas than this bridge, a masterwork of globally recognized architect Erik Behrens. Its scope and ambition have been fully realized without compromise, and for me to use lighting to further bring it to life is both an honour, and a profound responsibility.”
“I hope that when completed, the bridge will appear as though it is alive and makes viewers proud of the close relationship these two countries share.”
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects more than two countries. It is also a symbol of an enduring friendship and shared environment for Windsor-Detroit, Ontario-Michigan and Canada-U.S. The Aesthetic Bridge Lighting commission will pay homage to the special relationship that exists at the Windsor-Detroit gateway,” says Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) CEO Charl van Niekerk.
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