Watch the world's largest LED light sculpture in action July 23 2013

By Lauren Matthews | Posted March 11, 2013, 7:30 AM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO On March 5, the "Bay Lights" project made its official debut as the world's largest LED light sculpture. Created by light artist Leo Villareal, the installation includes more than 25,000 individually programmed LEDs strung along more than 100,000 feet of suspension cables on San Francisco's Bay Bridge. Inspired by the bridge's 75th anniversary, the sculpture will remain in place until 2015.

Taking his inspiration from nature, Villareal developed custom software to program the never-repeating light patterns and formations that appear on the bridge at night. The energy-efficient white LED lights will cost approximately $11,000 a year to power, and dedicated solar panels installed in nearby Davis, California, will offset the energy used. The project is presented by Illuminate the Arts, a San Francisco nonprofit dedicated to the creation of community-activating public art.