Complex Radiant Designs Emanate from Sculpted Columns of Illumination
Located in northern Iowa, Mason City is, rather surprisingly, a hub of cultural heritage. It houses the Historic Park Inn, the last hotel in the world that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It showcases a remarkable array of Prairie School architecture and served as the inspiration for Meredith Willson’s legendary stage musical The Music Man, with characters reflecting those he encountered during his upbringing in the city. For artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk, the pair behind the Los Angeles-based studio HYBYCOZO, this rich heritage was crucial to their latest undertaking in Mason City.
Positioned at the entrance to the new Riverwalk recreation zone, Harmony in Light provides an abstract yet meaningful representation of the musical and architectural influences that have historically molded Mason City. The artwork features 20 stainless steel cylinders that elegantly ascend into the sky, their bold, sculpted silhouettes echoing the “strong horizontal lines” typical of the Prairie School style, according to Beaulieu and Filipchuk. Each column’s golden exterior is etched with sound waves that, during the night, project mesmerizing, glowing patterns onto the ground below.
“We fused [Prairie School] design concepts with an abstract interpretation of musical shapes, illustrating and digitally modeling the movement of light and shadow across surfaces,” the HYBYCOZO duo shares with My Modern Met. “The ultimate design achieves a harmony between geometry and fluidity, featuring perforated patterns that illuminate internally, generating a visual rhythm that feels musical in nature.”
This notion of “rhythm” is not solely visual—it is also experiential. The form and concept of the sculpture encourage interaction, inviting observers to traverse around each column to fully appreciate how the light shifts based on their location.
“Harmony of Light is designed and scaled to create a captivating landmark, with its luminous patterns transforming as individuals move around it, reflecting the way music evolves with perspective and movement,” Beaulieu and Filipchuk detail.
The gentle, serene ambiance created by Harmony in Light is intentional, serving as yet another nod to Mason City’s profound musical tradition.
“The warm illumination at night was selected to resonate with the inviting essence of the city and to evoke the closeness of a musical performance,” the artists note.
Regarding the purpose of the installation, particularly in light of its permanence, HYBYCOZO hopes it can foster a “sense of connection” to the city’s cultural tapestry.
“In the end, we aim for Harmony in Light to evoke a moment of shared amazement—a reminder of how art, architecture, and music can come together to create beauty that is truly for everyone,” the duo concludes.
To discover more about Harmony in Light, visit HYBYCOZO’s website and follow the duo on Instagram.