Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night

Let’s turn the switch back on the Color Wall!

The composite of photographs of the Color Wall seen above was created by Libby Levi (College of Design '07) for the summer 2007 issue of the NC State University alumni magazine, NC State. The photos were taken by Daniel Kim, CALS Communication Services.

The composite of photographs of the Color Wall seen above was created by Libby Levi (College of Design '07) for the summer 2007 issue of the NC State University alumni magazine, NC State. The photos were taken by Daniel Kim, CALS Communication Services.

 
 
A few weeks ago Goodnight Raleigh! published a story on NC State’s celebrated Color Wall, which is housed in the DH Hill Library. The kinetic light sculpture, the creation of renowned artist and long-time College of Design professor, Joe Cox, was installed in the library’s book tower in 1972. Unfortunately, the mechanical light switching system that operates the Color Wall began to malfunction within just a few years after its installation. Repeated repairs were made over the next three decades, but to the viewing public, the Color Wall was dark more often than lit.

A partial restoration in 2005 brought the colors back to life, but by the end of 2007 the Color Wall had once again gone dark — this time due to an irreparable breakdown of the 35 year old mechanical system.  Acquisition of a modern, computerized digital switch system was underway last fall, but the worsening statewide budget crisis effectively prevented public funds from going toward the restoration of the Color Wall. The new system was estimated at the time to cost in excess of $6,000.

Our readers’ response to that article has been overwhelming, with offers of repair and financial contributions coming in from all corners. So, after much behind the scenes work, we are proud to announce that Goodnight Raleigh has teamed up with the NC State University Libraries Advancement Office in an effort to raise funds for purchase of the computerized switching system. Thus,  this treasured work of public art, Color Wall, might be  restored on a permanent operational basis.

Goodnight Raleigh has set up a Web page dedicated to telling the Color Wall story, and through which online donations may be made  to the NCSU Libraries’ Art Preservation Fund toward the purchase and installation of the new switching system. Designate your tax-deductible contribution “Color Wall.”  To learn more about the Color Wall, and how your contribution will help to restore permanently this important work of 20th century public art, please visit www.TheColorWall.org today!

This is how the Color Wall looks today. Won't you please help turn the switch back on?