Shade structure by day. Solar-powered street lights by night.
Downtown Phoenix welcomed the new public art piece “Shadow Play” by artist Meejin Yoon last night to the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Standing tall on Roosevelt Street between Third and Fourth streets, this functional public art piece is a part of the greater Roosevelt Streetscape project to create a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly thoroughfare.

The cloud-like structures were inspired by the Phoenix sun and, together, the near-white canopies filter the sunlight and capture the breeze to create an oasis-like refuge in the city.
According to the artist, the geometry of the structures ensures there is shade at the hottest times of the days, but they also allow morning shadows to playfully animate the ground during the cooler hours. The metal is also coated in a material that is resistant to heat and allows for easy graffiti removal.
Words cannot do Yoon’s work justice, and so, take a look at some of the beautiful photos captured by the social media community at the public art dedication.
 

A large, great group of people welcoming the new public art project to #rooseveltrow. #dtphx #yesphx

A photo posted by Downtown Phoenix Inc. (@downtownphoenix) on Jul 8, 2015 at 8:18pm PDT

Welcome to @rooseveltrowcdc, “Shadow Play”! #dtphx #publicart
A photo posted by Nicole Pasteur (@nicolepasteur) on Jul 8, 2015 at 8:21pm PDT

#RooseveltRow in #dtphx sees a packed crowd come out for a streetscape ribbon-cutting. #YesPHX pic.twitter.com/fi8pnxuBw3

— Tim Eigo (@azatty) July 9, 2015

The aliens have landed, naw just playin. Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Shadow Play shading structures on 3rd and Roosevelt. .
A photo posted by Danny Upshaw (@unheard_harmony) on Jul 8, 2015 at 8:37pm PDT

Awesome new #publicart ‘Shadow Play’ on #RooseveltRow. I want to come here mid-morning with someone to shoot more angles sans crowds. #shadestructure #solarpanels #geometricshapes #shadowplay

A photo posted by J͛O⃟ꌗI⃟Σ (@shunthesun) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:52pm PDT

The shade structures have landed! “Shadow Play” by Meejin Yoon. #RooseveltRow #downtownphoenix
A photo posted by Creasian (@creasian) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:06pm PDT

Some lovely #geometric shapes out in #dtphx tonight. #shade #shadowplay #publicart #geometric #geometry

A photo posted by Raymundo Cabrera (@rayraysmundo) on Jul 8, 2015 at 10:07pm PDT

#ShadowPlay by Meejin Yoon streetscape ceremony in @downtownphoenix on @RooseveltRow #myphx @MayorStanton pic.twitter.com/I45Xycyx9u
— Lauren Potter (@laurenthepotter) July 9, 2015