A sweeping aluminum sculpture inspired by nature and Porsche design will come before the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission on Wednesday for final approval.
The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to review “In Motion,” a 118-foot-long sculptural trellis planned for the new Rusnak Porsche dealership at 2915 E. Colorado Blvd.
The artwork carries a total price tag of $943,214, with $200,000 from the required public art fund and $743,214 in additional dealer funding.
Artist Jason Pilarski designed the piece based on concepts developed by three ArtCenter College of Design students during a 2023 workshop. The collaboration emerged from Rusnak’s partnership with the Pasadena design school.
“The art is based on the principles of biomimicry, a practice that learns from strategies found in nature to solve design challenges,” Pilarski said in project documents.
The sculpture measures 14 feet high and 24 feet wide. It features laser-cut aluminum panels riveted to an aluminum frame anchored in concrete pads.
Low-voltage LED uplighting will illuminate the structure from below, creating dramatic shadows while meeting Dark Sky standards for light pollution control.
The Planning Department recommends approval, finding the work meets all requirements in the city’s Private Development Public Art Guidelines.
The dealership project required public art funding because it exceeds 25,000 square feet of new construction. The building permit valuation of $25 million triggered a $250,000 public art obligation.
Pilarski teaches in ArtCenter’s Spatial Experience Design department and owns Machine Histories, a design fabrication studio. His work has been exhibited at MOCA Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
The sculpture will occupy the setback area between the two-story Porsche building and Colorado Boulevard. The space beneath will accommodate vehicle displays and community events.
A permanent plaque will credit the three student designers: Isaac Xu, Chen Xiyu and Brian White.
The artwork drew inspiration from the Porsche 911’s organic curves rather than angular edges. Pilarski merged this automotive design language with natural forms and motion.
“This sculpture will invite the viewer to experience the intersection of performance, intelligence and behavioral systems found in nature,” the artist wrote.
The commission will also consider eight conditions, including requirements for public accessibility, appropriate lighting, maintenance plans and structural plan review.
If approved, fabrication will take approximately six months following engineering sign-off. Installation would require an additional two weeks.
The Rusnak project includes construction of a 61,370-square-foot dealership with sales, parts storage and service facilities. The development preserves the existing Swanson and Peterson Furniture Manufacturing building.
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