Golden Gate Park’s Lighted Forest is Back for 2022
Entwined, the iconic illuminated art installation, returns to Golden Gate Park on December 1.
Entwined will be hosted at Peacock Meadow for its third season from December 1, 2022 to March 12, 2023. This dazzling forest of light first welcomed parkgoers as a safe and joyful outdoor destination in 2020 and quickly became an iconic attraction for Bay Area residents and tourists alike.
This immersive experience was designed specifically for Peacock Meadow by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, who champions accessibility to art and interactive experiences and whose work includes commissions from Burning Man, Insomniac Events, Coachella, the City of Palo Alto, the City of San Francisco and many more. The arrangement of the installation will create twisting paths through large flowering clusters, trees to sit under, and shifting lights and color.
“This year, the goal is to fix, refine and expand the work. We’re building and integrating larger, more reinforced bases for many of the sculptures, reinforcing branches, further weatherproofing electronics for many sculpture pieces, and upgrading all lighting controls software,“ said Charles Gadeken.
The 2022-23 season of Entwined introduces new sculptural artworks including a “fallen tree”, which will double as a seating area, “sapling” trees with hidden “world tree knots” that feature surprise miniature artworks by local artists, and greater interactivity. These additions build upon the interactive elements and expanded layout that debuted last year.
QR codes will be embedded on several sculptural pieces to invite the public to create their own lighting experience and patterns – a fan-favorite feature that now offers greater experimentation of patterns, colors, tempos, and sequencing. A new sound system will introduce omnidirectional sound and a variety of intermittent immersive sound experiences.
Twice-a-week performances and other live art programming will be hosted at the installation in partnership with Entwined this season. These events kick off with the holiday tree lighting ceremony on December 1 at McLaren Lodge and the Light Up The Night bike parade which returns to JFK Promenade on December 3. More events will be announced on a rolling basis.
“Entwined has quickly become a San Francisco institution that offers something for everyone. We love seeing residents and visitors enjoying the lights of Entwined and showing their creativity,” said SF Parks Alliance CEO Drew Becher.
The installation is an invitation to play, explore and interact with the environment, and it engages visitors of all ages and walks of life. Entwined lights the way for park visitors to continue a nighttime exploration along the JFK Promenade alongside the City’s official holiday tree at McLaren Lodge, dazzling light projections at the Conservatory of Flowers, and the SkyStar Observation Wheel and illuminated Bandshell in the Music Concourse.
