"The Three Sisters" Light Show
Allegheny County, with support from Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, commissioned artists Marques Redd, Mikael Owunna, and their organization Rainbow Serpent to highlight the Rachel Carson, Andy Warhol, and Roberto Clemente Bridges with a light show this holiday season. Those iconic bridges, known as the Sister Bridges, are displaying The Three Sisters light show during the early morning and between sunset and midnight through December 31.
To indigenous people in North and Central America, the Three Sisters refers to their main crops of squash, maize (corn), and beans, which flourish when grown in close proximity. Across the globe, the three sisters are associated with the goddesses Oya, Oshun, and Yemaya. The Three Sisters light show fuses those narratives, with each bridge representing one crop and one goddess.
Oya and the beans - Rachel Carson Bridge
The Rachel Carson Bridge (Ninth Street Bridge) illustrates the transformative power of Oya, the goddess of storms and change, as well as the strength and supportive nature of beans. Flashes of white and blue imitate lightning, which cut through purples and reds that signify the energy of storms and the dark, rich soil nurtured by nitrogen-fixing bean plants.
Oshun and the maize - Andy Warhol Bridge
On the Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street Bridge), the yellows and greens represent Oshun, the goddess of beauty, art, and luxury. Those colors and the upward movement of the lights also mimic the gorgeous growth of maize plants.
Yemaya and the squash - Roberto Clemente Bridge
The blues, greens, and wave-like movement of the lights on the Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street Bridge) evoke the presence of Yemaya, the maternal goddess of the sea. The green lights also represent the protective canopy provided by squash leaves, which keep the soil wet.