I am taking us through San Francisco again, this time looking for the light installations that are part of Illuminate SF which celebrated its 10th year this year. Honestly, I must live under a rock because I never heard of it before. While there is a specific time for the light festival, November to January, which I missed, there are some that have become permanent fixtures and I was able to put together my A to Z. Up next is Caruso’s Dream.
This was one of the most interesting of the light fixtures that I saw. Caruso’s Dream is a set of 13 “pianos” that are created from materials like vintage chicken-wire, glass and pilings from the old Transbay Terminal. It was designed by Brian Goggin and Dorka Keehn in 2014. It dangles from a residential high rise in the South of Market area and was inspired by the time Enrico Caruso was awakened by the great earthquake of 1906. He didn’t know if he was awake or dreaming when he went to the window and saw what was going on. I can imagine seeing things falling from the sky and flying around with all the shaking. Good thing these are held up with some pretty strong steel bars.
When I first pulled up I was afraid that they were all going to be dark but suddenly they started lighting up. I didn’t walk underneath it then, preferring to get my view from across the street. I was lucky enough to find a parking spot right away. You can see the blue hood of my car. Since I was alone this trip, I didn’t want to get too far away from it.
It was still pretty early in the evening when I saw it. I wanted to see if it was more impressive if it was darker out so I went back with my husband a few nights ago and was able to stand under it. I think it’s better when viewed from across the street to be honest.
Apparently if you turn the radio to 90.9 FM you can hear Caruso’s music but I was concentrating on getting pictures and didn’t think to set my radio up to that station. I could only hear the street traffic. Opera is not really my thing anyway.
Best Viewing: 55 Ninth Street. Across the street is better as far as I’m concerned but walking under it was okay too.
Okay we’re moving right along here. I am actually pretty set up for the whole A to Z Challenge this year, much more than in the past. I have all but one letter done!
Note to those reading on Blogger — I’m going to try and get over there as quick as I can to reduce the size of the photos which seem to increase as they move from WP to Blogger. Sorry if you are seeing them before I make the switch!
Janet's Smiles 
I saw your blog during the challenge, but I did not comment on this post then.
One thing I have never seen in SF. Haven’t been there in a long time. I live about 100 miles south of the city.
I’m doing the Road Trip, too.
https://jannghi.blogspot.com/2023/04/r-for.html
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Pingback: A to Z – 2023 – Reflection | Janet's Smiles
Oh Iād love to see these and hear the music. Glad you got the day and evening ones lighted.
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Thanks Jeanne. It might be fun to hear the music too, I’ll have to go back sometime and see if the lights match the sound!
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š
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This is really interesting post about a really cool thing. Love all the pictures too. Good luck with the rest of the A-Z Challenge! š
My D post
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Thanks!
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The story about Caruso’s “dream” during the 1906 earthquake fascinates me. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, I really like this one, and the story of its inspiration as well.
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Pretty interesting. They were huge!
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Thanks for sharing this. I’d never heard of Caruso’s Dream before. Stopping by from the A to Z Challenge.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer. I didn’t know about it either.
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That is pretty amazing!
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Right? Just stuck there on the side of the building like that.
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The only reason I have all mine done on TWO blogs, was taking what I started (and failed to use) for 2022’s A-Z challenge. AND, both use short posts. Love the photos & video!!
My A to Z Blogs
DB McNicol – Small Delights, Simple Pleasures, and Significant Memories
My Snap Memories – My Life in Black & White
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Yes, some of mine are going to be pretty short too.
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I’m following about 40 A-Z blogs and definitely find myself skimming (or even skipping) the really long posts. Just not enough hours in the day.
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Are you going from Blogger to WordPress, or vice versa? The whole pictures growing thing is one of the many reasons I stopped simulcasting…
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WordPress to Blogger. I have a few faithful on Blogger so this year I’ll continue it but may not after the A to Z. It’s a pain.
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They look so pretty!
Also wow you have all but one post done??!! That’s amazing
I only have this one week’s posts scheduledš
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Yes, and I got that one last night so now I have them all! Good luck to you.
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Oh that’s amazing! Thank you š
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This definitely caught my attention. Anita
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Pretty big, isn’t it?
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š
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Thanks
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That is fascinating! I’ll ask my kids if they’ve seen it.
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My son said he used to walk past it each day on his commute to work. Now he works remotely.
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That’s cool!
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