October 31, 2016

Iced Oak


Washington, D.C., 1985.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 30, 2016

Ice-Dyed Grid


Ice-dyed fabric, with pattern based on a hexagonal grid, by Jane Frenke. Fiesta Fibers Print Studio, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 29, 2016

Indigo Fabric


Indigo-dyed fabric by Jane Frenke, Fiesta Fibers Print Studio. Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 28, 2016

Demolition Mountains


Fairfax Street, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 27, 2016

Pipe Growths


City of Palo Alto City Hall, Palo Alto, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 26, 2016

Squiggles and Lines


Third Street, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 25, 2016

Pier Railing


Pier railing symmetry. Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 24, 2016

Aeolian Harp


Aeolian Harp by Doug Hollis. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 23, 2016

Illusion in Wood


Illusion in Wood by Franco Magnani. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.


The embedded optical effect, in which straight lines appear wavy, is known as the Zollner illusion.

Photos by I. Peterson

October 22, 2016

Circuit Graphics


Symbol for motor starter with thermal overload. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Electric Utility Wall (detail) by Mark McGowan and Alison Lara.

The metal panel shows a modified schematic of the Exploratorium's solar power system.

Photos by I. Peterson

October 21, 2016

Toroidal Benches


Toroidal "barnacle" benches by SurfaceDesign. Embarcadero, between Piers 9 and 15, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 20, 2016

Doorknob Array


Symmetric array of doorknobs created by Diane Whitmore. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 19, 2016

Reflecting Spoons


Spoon display created by Diane Whitmore. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 18, 2016

Seven Star


Seven-pointed star. First Responder Plaza by Paul Kos, Third Street at China Basin, San Francisco, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 17, 2016

Bell Curves


"All Is Well Bell," First Responder Plaza by Paul Kos. 1245 Third Street at China Basin, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 16, 2016

Fan Glass


The Dance by Alan Binstock. Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 15, 2016

Pendulum Snake


"Pendulum snake" exhibit. Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.


The suspended balls swing back and forth at slightly different rates, determined by the length of the strings. Each ball completes a set number of swings in 30 seconds, from the longest (15 swings in 30 seconds) to the shortest (24 swings in 30 seconds). Set in motion together, the balls go in and out of several interesting patterns before they line up again after 30 seconds.

Photos by I. Peterson

October 14, 2016

Circular Separation


Separation by Carrie Abramovitz. Downtown Library, Palo Alto, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 13, 2016

Squared Trapezoid


Sunlight passing through a rectangular opening creates a trapezoid-shaped highlight on a tiled floor. Campbell Community Center, Campbell, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 12, 2016

Utility Box Impossibility


Impossible triangle design by Alexander K. Holland. Utility box at corner of Winchester Boulevard and West Hamilton Avenue, Campbell, California, 2016.


"Art Outside the Box" public art program.

Photos by I. Peterson

October 11, 2016

Sky Sails


Patio covering, Creekside Inn. Palo Alto,California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 10, 2016

Palo Alto Confluence


Fountain sculpture Confluence by Michael Szabo. California Avenue, Palo Alto, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 9, 2016

Tree Rings and Old Wood


Tree rings from a 330-year-old Douglas fir. Big Wood by Michael Brown and Evan Shively, Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 8, 2016

Sea Change


Sea Change by Mark di Suvero. Pier 40, Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 7, 2016

Sun Swarm


Sun Swarm by Chris Bell. Exploratorium, Pier 17, Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 6, 2016

Wood Stripes


Recycled wood door at Pier 17. Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photo by I. Peterson

October 5, 2016

Blooming Bird


Pacific Bird by Seymour Lipton. Golden Gateway Center, Battery Street, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photo by I. Peterson

October 4, 2016

Ridged Curves


Ridged curves of fountain by David Tolerton. One Bush Plaza, San Francisco, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson

October 3, 2016

Recycled Plastic Lamps


Lampshades constructed from pieces of plastic milk jugs by Agelio Batle, Delia Batle, Dianne Garcia, and students at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2013.


Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, 2016.

Photos by I. Peterson

October 2, 2016

Etched Sphere


Untitled etched sphere by Fritz Koenig. Walkway stairwell on Commerce Street, between Sansome Street and Battery Street, San Francisco, California, 2016.



For other sculptured spheres, see "Stony Spheres."

Photos by I. Peterson

October 1, 2016

Signalscape Grid


Signalscape by Miki Iwasaki. Terminal 1, Baggage Claim, San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California, 2016.


Photos by I. Peterson