Idea Tree on the Convention Center's new plaza. (Photo: Daniel Garcia)

Tweety Bird, a special guest at the Convention Center Opening celebration, is among the first to explore Idea Tree's "seed".

Idea Tree is located on the Convention Center's renovated entry plaza creating a large-scale interactive experience for visitors. The artwork references Silicon Valley's creative idea landscape that is alive and active within and outside the walls of the Convention Center. Adjacent to the Idea Tree canopy is a freestanding sound booth the artist calls the "seed" where the public can leave short voice messages; these messages are transmitted wirelessly to the central element of the tree's canopy that the called the "fruit." Idea Tree reassembles these messages into an ambient soundscape, audible from underneath the canopy. At night the fruit is crowned with a soothing pulse of LED light that signals the active mixing of sound.

Arts Commissioner Jessica Zenk speaks into 'the seed' to add a voice recording to  Idea Tree.

"The City of San Jose is thrilled to have Soo-in Yang's innovative Idea Tree as an interactive visual element that welcomes visitors and the community to San Jose's newly remodeled Convention Center," said Kim Walesh, director of Economic Development and chief strategist for San Jose. "The art piece reflects San Jose's leadership at the intersection of art and technology. It's a significant addition to our growing Illuminating Downtown Project."

For more information about Idea Tree and artist Soo-in Yang, please see the article in the Office of Cultural Affairs' Cultural Connection Newsletter.

Councilmember Johnny Khamis (center) is joined by (l-r): Arts Commissioner Nicholas Adams, Councilmember Sam Liccardo, artist Bill Gould, VEP Board President Marilyn Rodgers with two young community members, Cultural Affairs Director Kerry Adams Hapner, Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio, and community member Dave Fadness in the ribbon-cutting.

The gates, constructed of colorfully-painted laser-cut metal on heavy mesh, contain words and symbols related to the history and activities of this neighborhood. There are also 3-8" diameter hand-made glass disks in the gates, each with an embedded object or image. Gould created A Place in Time as a tribute to the area's history and community life. The artist worked closely with community representatives throughout the design of the gates to identify ideas, themes and content. As Gould intended,  A Place in Time invites exploration and discovery.  

The artwork also addresses an important community goal for the project: something people will see from the street as they drive by. The gates add a vibrant colorful note against the earth tone of the Community Room building, giving it presence.

Glass inset detail, seen from inside the gates.

Bjorn Schulke's Space Observer on the Terminal B Mezzanine landing.

It's easy! Cast your vote at http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-u-s-airports-for-art/. Each person can vote once a day everyday for the run of the contest. Voting ends Monday, November 11th, 2013 at 11:59 A.M. EST. The winners will be announced on 10Best.com on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013 at 11:59 A.M. EST, then later on in USA TODAY.

You can learn more about the San Jose Airport's Art+Technology Public Art Program at http://www.sanjoseculture.org/?pid=99220 or you can download a brochure at: http://www.sanjoseculture.org/downloads/2010brochuredownload.pdf