Driftmier Architects’ remodel of Redmond Center was officially completed in September 2009. Recently the designed in artwork was installed in the completed project providing an interesting and changing feature to the east side of the shopping center. And it is wonderful.

Driftmier Architects conducted a nation-wide search for an artist on behalf of the Nelson Legacy Group. Fourteen submissions were received, and were narrowed down to three. These were reviewed by the board of directors for Nelson Legacy Group, who made the final selection. Koryn Rolstad of Koryn Rolstad Studios was the selected artist. She is from Seattle and happens to have grown up in Redmond. Her idea for the art piece was a one-of-a-kind wall piece that uses brand new lighting technologies behind 24, six foot by three foot graphic panels to achieve an ever changing display of movement and color.

The North Building (often referred to as Trader Joe’s Building) has 12 river-themed panels and contains the quote “Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go.” – Blaise Pascal. It is a beautiful concept of slowly changing imagery that moves you along the sidewalk as the river moves through the seasons of the year.

The South Building (the HSBC building) has 12 bicycle-themed panels with the quote “Life is like riding a bicycle Ð in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Ð Albert Einstein. This wall’s art moves more quickly and uses more bold colors to lead you along the sidewalk. In both cases, the artwork is something that changes with the time of day, looks different up close and while driving by, and brings something new and different to the city of Redmond’s public artwork scene. When you view the panels, also look down at the sidewalk. It has been etched to become part of the art. You actually walk into and experience the art.