San Jose, California

Berryessa/North San Jose Station for Valley Transit Authority extends the service of the Bay Area Rapid Transit to the south Bay Area.

The round cast bronze sculpture recalls many modes of transportation, from bicycles to carts, cars, trucks and trains. The inspiration for LIFE!, is from the historic and wonderful San Jose Flea Market across the street from the station. It is also a personal commentary on all the stuff I have accumulated in six decades of life. I am about at the point in my life where it is time to start thinking about what I need and what I can give to others.

Over several months of visiting the “Flea” and collecting objects from second hand shops and other places, the found objects were placed on a large foam shape at the world renown Walla Walla Foundry in Washington State. Each item was then molded and cast and then assembled into the one large object.

It is like a personal “wheel of life”, containing the things we use and accumulate over a lifetime. Kitchen utensils and workshop tools are the things we make in our homes and our jobs. There are toys that suggest childhood pastimes, sports equipment and musical instruments that bring enjoyment to us all. These are the things that make up an individual life. The 10’ diameter cast bronze sculpture is being pushed up the slope of the granite base by a small human figure. In many ways this is a self portrait of everyone. The intention was to create an artwork that daily passengers would look at and find something new every day. Hidden within all the objects are words, symbols and objects that relate to us all.

Photography by Craig Collins.

Materials & Dimensions

Cast bronze 15’ tall by 12’ wide by 5’ deep including the granite base.