Alight

In the rolling fields of central California, evening becomes electric

By Mark Smith

August 10^th, 2022

Late afternoon

It was an odd sight: 15 acres of beautiful rolling fields in central California, outfitted with nearly 60,000 solar-powered spheres on long stems.

We had come to view the Sensorio "Field of Light," installed in 2019 near Paso Robles. As we arrived and walked the property, the spheres reflected the golden sunlight.

Sundown

As the sun set, solar power kicked in and the spheres began to light - first glowing a faint white, then very slowly turning colors, each bulb alternating from shades of blue and yellow to pink and green in evolving patterns around us. Although there were thousands of guests seated around the grounds or strolling the pathways, it was very quiet. Everyone seemed to be in a state of enchantment.

Darkness falls

With the reddening sky as a backdrop, the fields became a magical, ever-changing landscape.

Full bloom

And then in full darkness, the finale - with the spheres glowing at their brightest and most vivid. Relaxed and yet invigorated, we took our last looks and slowly made our way out.