SF’s Giant New Interactive Word Sculptures in Golden Gate Park
San Francisco’s Golden Mile just got even more playful. Two new interactive public art sculptures, SMiLE and KiND, have been installed along Golden Gate Park’s famous Golden Mile stretch.
Created by Bay Area artist Reuben Rude in collaboration with Illuminate and funded by The Big Art Loop, the oversized WordPlay sculptures are designed to invite visitor interaction. Rude is also known locally for his popular Street Whale sculpture along the waterfront.
Both sculptures span more than 20 feet across and are several feet tall, making them a striking addition to the Golden Mile’s growing collection of public art. The concept is simple: each sculpture is missing the letter “I,” encouraging visitors to step into the space to complete the words SMILE and KIND. The result is a playful photo moment and a reminder of the impact of everyday words.
The installations were built with sustainability in mind, using primarily reclaimed wood along with microcement and concrete for durability in an outdoor public setting.
The sculptures fit naturally into the Golden Mile’s whimsical transformation. The 1.5-mile corridor in San Francisco was once one of the city’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians and cyclists. Today, it’s an urban oasis filled with murals, large-scale sculptures, open pianos, live music, children’s games, StoryWalk installations, and pop-up community experiences. The project helped inspire voters to pass Proposition J in 2022, permanently closing part of JFK Drive to vehicle traffic and prioritizing public recreation space.
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