CVRMC walking path lights up

Colorful and intricate light patterns are now lighting up a portion of the walking path next to the Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. 

An illuminated steel archway called “We Choose What To Take With Us” was placed over the walkway on June 19 and is the path’s newest art installation. Starting at sunset, different colored light patterns emerge from the archway when someone approaches, shifting based on movement. 

The interactive sculpture was created by local instrumentation specialist and artist Darrel Yerkovich. 

It symbolizes how “we’re always evolving, we’re always changing,” he said. “You can always choose who to be tomorrow.” 

Yerkovich developed his idea for a sculpture contest hosted by local art nonprofit Love Where You Live. The contest was announced in February in conjunction with the CVRMC Foundation and Freeport-McMoran. Three sculptures were selected for a $2,500 grant, and Yerkovich’s design was one of the winners.

“I tried to sneak a lot of interesting features into it,” he said, “including aerospace and nuclear features, and subtle ‘Blade Runner’ references.” 

The installation is powered by solar panels and a motion sensor activates the LED lighting as visitors approach.  

These first two weeks on the walking path are being used to log data and monitor brightness, he said. He also developed software that will allow the public to control the LED patterns, and very soon, people will be able to connect phones or laptops and upload patterns to the sculpture using a WIFI access point, he said. 

The project marked Yerkovich's first time creating a public sculpture, and he said it taught him a lot. 

His background combines technical expertise with artistic interests. He has worked in instrumentation and environmental operations at local mines, as well as in development and testing for SpaceX and Praxair. He has also built set mechanisms for the Summer Youth Musical Theatre Program and mentored local robotics teams. 

Yerkovich designed the sculpture in seven modules to make transporting and assembly reasonable. When he envisioned his design, it was initially more concrete than steel, and he said it had to be redesigned a few times to make it more economical and to match the design requirements. It also needed to be able to withstand the weather. The revisions extended the completion timeline by about a month. 

He designed the sculpture using computer-aided design software before sending the files to manufacturer SendCutSend for fabrication. Once the cut sheet metal components arrived, he assembled, painted and riveted the modules before installing the lighting and electronics. He applied surface treatments to the exterior to give it the patina he wanted. He first assembled the sculpture in his backyard, where he could make modifications and develop and test the software for the lighting. 

He said his idea was, “something ridiculous, but that’s kind of like my style.”

“This beautiful archway is a physical reminder that we always have a choice in how we respond to the world,” said Regina Ortega of Love Where You Live. “Next time you’re out for a walk, step through and leave the negativity behind — choosing love, gratitude and radical hope, instead.”