Sun Stories

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

SUN STORIES by Jessy Nite

2019 Summer Exhibition on Giralda Plaza

Sun Stories (image reversed)

Inspired by Coral Gables' history and tropical life in South Florida, local artist Jessy Nite created bright words, phrases, and a poem suspended over Giralda Plaza. Letters stretched and moved across the plaza throughout the day bringing a bit of history, a splash of color, and light reflection to this popular location.

Fun Facts About Sun Stories:

• Best viewing times were 10am-6pm
• Between 8-10am the letters reflected on Le Jeune Road in front of Giralda Plaza
• The text swept across the plaza from west to east, reacting to the rising and setting of the sun
• The text was especially sharp mid day (noon/1pm)
• Phrases were grouped by color
• A poem by Jessy Nite was incorporated, inspired by Coral Gables and a connection between George Merrick and his mother
• Spanish and French were used to represent the diversity of Coral Gables
• Sun Stories was narrated by the sun because it is a main character in all the lives of people who live in South Florida

PROJECT BRIEF:

The Coral Gables City Commission approved a concept by local artist Jessy Nite, one of 36 responsive proposals competing for the public installation to create an inaugural artist designed temporary overhead installation for the City's Giralda Plaza. “Sun Stories” is a collection of thousands of colored letters that dance from above creating playful sayings about Coral Gables.  As the sun passes through the day, the cast colors of the plexiglass letters become more saturated, focused, moving and dancing across the ground and above the people visiting. Nite has exhibited nationally and internationally, most notably in London, Zurich, Vienna and Bangkok.