Evolve 17: A Kaleidoscopic Vision of the Future

Reinventing the Column for the Space Age

Davis McCarty drew inspiration from the stagnation of column design, which has remained largely unchanged since the era of the Greeks. His vision was to create a column fit for the space age, resulting in Evolve 17, a 23-foot tall kaleidoscopic sculpture that bends light to create a mesmerizing display of changing colors. This unique design sets Evolve 17 apart from other sculptures, making it a striking and memorable piece.

The sculpture is made from dichroic Plexiglass, stainless steel, aluminum, mirrors, LEDs, and sunlight. The dichroic Plexiglass, similar to a quantum particle, exhibits different colors to viewers from different angles. As observers circle the sculpture, the dichroic panels morph between states of colors. The sculpture uses a patent-pending hinge made from 5mm water jet aerospace grade aluminum, known as "The Signal Bracket", which offers 330 degrees of rotation and locks in place at the desired angle.

Evolve 17 is not just a static piece of art; it interacts with its viewers and the environment. As viewers walk by, the sculpture changes colors, creating a cosmic kaleidoscope effect. At dawn, playful colored shadows welcome visitors, moving throughout the day. The sculpture is suspended by aircraft cable and uses NASA-developed dichroic Plexiglas to create a space-age feel.

The design of Evolve 17 was not without its challenges. The building in which it is housed compresses and expands on the top floor due to wind, so the design had to be both suspended from the ceiling and simultaneously affixed to the floor. Despite these challenges, the design team, which included Adrian Stein and Amy Rodriguez, successfully created a unique and engaging piece of art.

Evolve 17 has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Silver A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and that introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The sculpture will remain on display at the Leidos Headquarters in Reston, VA until 2099, continuing to inspire and engage viewers for years to come.