Ruach, The Bridge of Breath

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Ruach connects the major features in the three-story, sky lit atrium at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. The Sheva Midot (seven principles), or word wall, containing key words defining the Jewish values, is connected to the donor wall by an aerial sculpture of suspended polished stainless steel arches with dichroic glass inserts. The work glints in the existing sunlight and changes character as the sun moves across the sky throughout the day and the various seasons of the year.

The work appears as the language of “breath” or ruach and is composed of two arches. The canopy of intersecting arches implies motion, movement of wind, past and present, light, and thought. This arch of sparkling light is a visualization of the connection of the current and future Community to the long-standing values that inspire its work, play, learning and action. The work invites your eye to look up and explore the volume of the architecture, through the skylights into the sky.

www.jccsf.org/permanent-installations

2003