Nuclear Fusion is the Muse for this San Ramon Art Display

Photo byCity Center

City Center Bishop Ranch, a bustling open-air hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment in downtown San Ramon, now hosts a captivating art installation that celebrates a historic scientific milestone. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has unveiled a series of striking banners commemorating the groundbreaking fusion ignition demonstration at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) that occurred on December 5, 2022.

The public art installation, titled “Bringing Star Power to Earth,” features nine towering banners, each standing 23 feet tall, displayed on the façade of the center. These banners creatively narrate the story of fusion ignition—a process where more energy is produced from fusion than the laser energy used to initiate it. This achievement marks a significant scientific breakthrough, decades in the making.

The centerpiece of the collection showcases the NIF’s artwork that LLNL first used to announce the ignition success, which has since gained widespread attention. The other banners depict various aspects of the project, including lasers, computer modeling and simulation, experimental design, diagnostics, optics, target fabrication, and the collaborative efforts that made the achievement possible.

The banners were designed by James Wickboldt, a San Ramon native and LLNL artist since 2017, whose work has been featured in LLNL publications and The New York Times. John Jett, leading the multimedia communications team for the NIF and Photon Science directorate, also contributed to the design.

This installation is part of the Slate Art Program, an initiative launched by City Center Bishop Ranch in 2018 to bring cultural and civic art to the East Bay community. A dedication event featuring LLNL Lab Director Kim Budil is scheduled for Sunday, September 29. Further details will be announced closer to the date.

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