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Artist James Evers’ 'Soundgarden' sign concept approved for Harbor Park
Summary
The board approved a concept to install up to three 12x18 QR-enabled signs for the Soundgarden audio installation at Harbor Park after Twin Cities artist James Evers demonstrated geolocated audio and requested feedback on size and usability. The board voted unanimously to approve the concept pending final content and production details.
James Evers, a Twin Cities artist who created the Soundgarden audio installations at Harbor Park, presented a draft interpretive sign and an associated geolocated audio app to the board during its meeting. Evers said the audio is available year-round and is triggered by location; users scan a QR code to access tracks and oral histories recorded in the park.
“It’s a whole symphony that I wrote for Harbor Park,” Evers said, describing the project’s audio soundtrack and the oral-historical recordings embedded in the experience. He told the board the app can be triggered by GPS so that different audio plays as a visitor moves through the park and that the content is already accessible: “Well, actually, it should — it’s available right now.”
Board members discussed sign placement, readability of QR codes, and the user flow for downloading the app. Evers said some testers found a small delay and had to scroll to a download button in their app store, and the board suggested the sign include brief instructions noting that the audio is accessible year-round. The artist said his goal was a low-profile, nonintrusive sign that would not clutter the park while still being easy to find.
After brief discussion about size and color (members preferred a white background with dark type so QR codes remain scannable), a committee member moved to approve the concept and the installation of no more than three 12x18 signs. The motion was seconded and passed by a show of hands: three in favor, none opposed.
Next steps: the artist and staff will finalize the sign content and graphics and return a final version for distribution to the board before printing. The board did not take a final production vote at this meeting; members treated the action as a concept approval to proceed toward a final sign package.
Votes at a glance: - Concept approval for up to three Soundgarden interpretive signs (motion moved by Committee member, seconded; vote: 3–0 in favor).
