Clevelanders travel the Veterans Memorial Bridge (aka Detroit-Superior Bridge) upper deck daily, but the lower deck (dark, abandoned level), hasn't been used since 1954 when streetcars were discontinued. It is rarely shown to the public.
On June 22, 2019 – the Cuyahoga County’s Public Works Department hosted its one-day-a-year tour of the bridge and subway station, where tour participants could see what lies beneath.
The 2019 tours included two amazing sound-and-light installations by the U.K.-based collective known as Squidsoup. Funded by the Cleveland Foundation through its Creative Fusion global art program, the $25,000 Squidsoup project consisted of two arrays of digitally programmed lights strung on cables like glowing pearls. Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative coordinated the project in collaboration with Squidsoup.
In the “Ascendance’’ installation that is featured in this 360° video, Squidsoup strung vertical curtains of twinkling lights from the bridge's upper deck which visitors could walk through. The lights blinked and pulsed in time to electronic music. Enjoy the 360° views showing off the lights and unique angles of the bridge's lower deck. NOTE: This video was created from one single 360 degree photo!
This free event was part of a series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River catching fire, which ultimately led to the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help cleanup other waterways across America.
View and purchase artwork of CLEveland area landmarks by local artist Mark Madere here.
See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: http://HOTonCLE.com/Gear
Have you ever toured the subway level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge? What did you like best about the tour? Please share your experience with a comment, below.
(Photo: Mark Madere | SpectraLight Photography)
