Rachel Kamata

Light Fiber

2019

Vinyl, LED Installation

8’ x 100'

Commissioned by Whataburger, San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s Annual Light Up Downtown Holiday contest invites San Antonio businesses in the downtown area to compete to have the best and brightest holiday light display. In 2019, after submitting a proposal to Whataburger, I was commissioned to create the design for Whataburger's downtown location. After a period of public voting, Light Fiber received the people's choice award in the corporate category. 

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The vibrant design features a golden white current running through a river of stained glass in earthy shades of red and green. Hidden in the flow are several ‘W’s” (for Whataburger, of course). Made up of 26 panels printed on translucent vinyl, “Light Fiber” is 8 feet by 100 feet. Inside, curving strips of LED lights illuminated the store in a multitude of shifting colors. 

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I am thankful to the Contemporary, who facilitated the commission and fabrication of Light Fiber, Alex Rubio who mentored me throughout the process and helped install, and Whataburger, for believing in my vision, and for their outstanding “surprise” check at the completion of the project that funded my college laptop (still in use today).