Growing Home (2018) 

Joe O'Connell

DESCRIPTION:  approx. 25-foot diameter installation consisting of an approx. 17.5-foot high by 5-foot by 4-foot stencil-cut stainless steel strip sculpture in the form of a turret or wentletrap sea snail shell, surrounded by large polished granite boulders; internal p.m. lighting

Sculptor Joe O'Connell teamed with Creative Machines to produce this giant size sea snail sculpture covered with notable dates and events in San Diego history.  Using stainless steel strips and laser cutting, the entire 17.5-foot high sculpture is covered in the stenciled lettering that internal LED lighting illuminates at night.  O'Connell incorporated the surrounding polished round boulders to evoke oversized beach pebbles.  With an eye to the installation's visitors, the sea snail sculpture was designed with a small seat at its base for a more intimate view of the sculpture or for photography posing.
From the artist:  The sculpture pays homage to San Diego’s history by mirroring the mollusk’s growth cycle, where successive bands of shell are added to its opening as it grows, carrying the shell’s history with it – much like San Diego has grown since its inception, building on past events with each new year.” 
LOCATION:  100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, California, USA
VIEW 1
VIEW 2
DETAIL: