Celebrating Ignition at City Center Bishop Ranch

Visitors to City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon can now learn about LLNL’s historic fusion ignition achievement while they shop and dine. "Bringing Star Power to Earth," a new art installation on the exterior of the center, tells the story of ignition through nine 23-foot-tall banners.

The centerpiece is the ignition artwork that LLNL used in the first ignition announcements, which was later reshared around the world. The other banners illustrate lasers, computer modeling and simulation, experimental design, diagnostics, optics, target fabrication, collaboration, partners, and people — the essential ingredients of the monumental scientific achievement.

“We were incredibly honored when the Bishop Ranch team reached out to the Lab to commemorate its historic Dec. 5, 2022, achievement of fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility,” said LLNL graphic designer James Wickboldt, who designed the banners. “We immediately knew we wanted to highlight how different disciplines came together to make this possible.”

To create the banners, Wickboldt evolved concepts from the “Art of Fusion” poster series created by Document Services, the Technical Information Department group that supports the NIF&PS Directorate. John Jett, Doc Services group leader and creator of the comic book Ignition, also contributed to the design.

Julie Lovett, senior vice president of marketing for Bishop Ranch, contacted LLNL at the start of the year about making ignition the focus of the new installation. The Bishop Ranch team had seen the Art of Fusion posters, which drew inspiration from the Work Projects Administration posters of the 1930s and 1940s.

“We were already brainstorming for our next installation when LLNL achieved fusion ignition,” said Bishop Ranch CEO Alex Mehran Jr. “With something this monumental happening in our own backyard, we were very excited to share this story in a new way.”

City Center Bishop Ranch is very familiar to Wickboldt, who grew up in San Ramon and regularly takes his children to the shopping, restaurant, and entertainment center.

“My hope is that people feel a sense of pride and awe when they see the pieces we created,” Wickboldt said. “The Lab draws people from all around the Bay Area, the country, and the world to achieve amazing results. Being able to point up at a building and show my sons art that I made is a real point of pride.”

The banners are part of the center’s Slate Art Program, launched in 2018, to enrich the East Bay community by visually weaving together the rich elements of culture, civic life, and commerce. The installation will remain for 12 months.

A dedication event featuring Lab Director Kim Budil, Bishop Ranch leadership, and local dignitaries will be held on a Sunday in late September. In keeping with the theme of scientific achievement, the event will also include family-friendly science activities.

More Information:

“The Age of Ignition: A NIF & Photon Science News Special Report”

Follow us on X: @lasers_llnl