SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Yesterday, the San Francisco Arts Commission voted to approve a new $1.5 million public artwork by renowned sculptor Roxy Paine, who is known widely for his large-scale stainless steel "dendroid" tree-like sculptures. Paine's proposed sculpture will be located in a public plaza in front of the Central Subway Yerba Buena/Moscone Station at 4th and Clementina streets. The 110-foot-tall curvilinear sculpture will taper from a diameter of 48 inches at the base to ¼ inch at the peak. Titled Node, the sculpture is described by the artist as a growth that emerges from a confluence of underground manmade systems that are the lifeline for the city. According to Paine, the sculpture is "an elegant line connecting earth to sky, people to underground systems and sculpture to city."

"For over forty years, the San Francisco Arts Commission's public art program has ensured that the city's residents and visitors have free access to artwork by some of the leading contemporary artists of the day," stated Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny. "We are thrilled to have this opportunity to add such a dynamic work by an artist of Roxy Paine's stature to the Civic Art Collection. Node will be a wonderful complement and a beacon for this culturally rich neighborhood."

"This is a fantastic site and I am thrilled to be a part of the San Francisco city landscape," stated Paine.

Node will be installed to coincide with the opening of the Central Subway in 2019. Local funding was provided through a Prop K grant from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority.

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. We believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City's well-being. Established by charter in 1932, the SFAC integrates the arts into all aspects of City life. Programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Arts & Education, Cultural Equity Grants, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, Street Artist Licensing, and the San Francisco Symphony Youth and Community Concert Series. The agency's core values are committed to the principle that all residents have equal access to arts experiences in all disciplines, that programs are provided comprehensively and evenly throughout the City, and that they are innovative and of the highest quality.