Roxie theater recently screened Impossible Light, a film directed by Jeremy Ambers that tells the story of those involved in creating The Bay Lights. Spearheaded by Ben Davis, The Bay Lights project is an initiative to illuminate the Bay Bridge’s western portion and make it visually significant against the newly opened eastern section and its more famous carrot top sister to the north. Using the bridge’s vertical suspender cables as his canvas, artist Leo Villareal created an illuminated and animated art piece that elegantly enhances the city’s waterfront views and gracefully highlights the bridges arced profile. Battling seemingly unsurmountable obstacles such as lack of funding and weather, the project’s team persisted and ultimately completed the light sculpture last spring. The film takes the viewers to the beginnings of Ben Davis’s vision, through the fund raising and design, and ultimately to its installation and inaugurating night. Along the way, viewers witness beautiful bridge views, intense emotions, and a team’s unrelenting spirit.
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