Commissioned by J Resort, Reno, Nevada

Neptune’s Luminous Dance is a monumental, immersive light sculpture inspired by the elegant motion of seaweed swaying underwater. Rising from the earth like an illuminated underwater forest, the piece is composed of 160 hand-bent steel tubes—each standing 19 feet tall and finished in a shimmering silvery powder coat that captures and reflects sunlight during the day.

Weighing over 12,000 pounds, the sculpture transforms after sunset with a dynamic, multicolored lighting system. At night, it comes to life through a 2-minute audio-synced light show, featuring custom programming for every major holiday—offering a new experience throughout the year.

This project was born from a private RFP design competition between 10 hand-picked Burning Man artists. After being selected as the winner, we spent 6 weeks fabricating the sculpture in our shop with a dedicated team of eight artists and fabricators. The on-site installation took four days of intensive effort to assemble and it was completed on May 14th, 2024.

Commissioned by the J Resort in downtown Reno, Nevada, Neptune’s Luminous Dance is a celebration of scale, craftsmanship, and immersive public art. We’re incredibly grateful to have been chosen for this project and proud to have contributed to Reno’s vibrant art landscape.

As a lifelong scuba diver and volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific, my love for the ocean runs deep. The underwater world has always been a place of wonder, serenity, and inspiration—a place that has shaped both my perspective and my artistic voice. Neptune’s Luminous Dance is not only a tribute to the ocean’s beauty but also a quiet warning. The sculpture is intentionally devoid of color, finished in metallic silver that glows white in the sun—a symbolic reference to rising ocean temperatures and the devastating effects of coral bleaching. Beneath its shimmering surface lies a deeper message: if we don’t act to protect our marine ecosystems, the vibrant life that once filled our seas may fade to silence.