Architecturally, the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center (SPCGC) lacked significance and was described by users of the facility as a dark, dour and unfriendly. Seeking to change this perception, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, through is Art in Public Places (APP) program, in collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department (ISD), commissioned visual artist Ivan Toth Depeña to transform the existing lobby into a welcoming and delightful area of interactivity and light. Completed in November 2011, the artwork, entitled Reflect, resulted in a dynamic installation of permanent, site-specific public art that illuminates, engages and responds to the activities of the lobby space. Due to its high visibility, Reflect is now considered one of the most prominent works of public art in the County and has generated increased interest and awareness of the public art program from other count departments, citizens and employees. Visitors and employees have commented that Reflect has transformed the lobby into a bright, welcoming and interactive space that symbolizes the spirit of excellence and public responsiveness of county government.

The work is pioneering technological advances in new media art and utilizes a custom software system designed by the artist. A video of the installation may be viewed at the following link: http://vimeo.com/34545263. When developing the artistic concept for the SPCGC lobby, artist Ivan Toth Depeña envisioned an installation that would result in the perfect marriage of technology, art and architecture, offering the users and visitors of the Government Center a delightful, welcoming and fresh approach to experiencing the headquarters of our County’s government. The resulting project, entitled Reflect, is a light-based installation consisting of five (5) custom-designed, floor-to-ceiling, low energy LED light boxes placed strategically throughout the lobby space. Acting as radiant light sources, the panels illuminate the once drab lobby space in a surprising manner that engages the building’s visitors and references the idea of community through various means of reflection, group interactivity and high-tech playfulness. The project demonstrates the power of County investments in public art to transform buildings into responsive, welcoming and wonderful spaces that serve the public in a progressive and imaginative way.