The first public activation of Layers of San José took place on Friday, March 6, 2026 during South First Friday ArtWalk in downtown San José. The sculpture was installed at Open San José, where visitors were invited to interact directly with the work.
Participants were encouraged to write, draw, and collage blank labels onto the surface of the geometric “SJ” letter forms. Throughout the evening, visitors shared personal memories of San José — naming neighborhoods, favorite hangouts, family traditions, and moments connected to the city.
Engagement with the project quickly became playful and collaborative. Some participants filled stickers with handwritten reflections, while others illustrated small drawings or cut custom shapes before adding them to the sculpture. Layer by layer, the surface began to grow into a collective record of memories contributed by the people who live, work, and gather in San José.
The activation highlighted how simple materials — stickers, markers, and shared stories — can transform a sculptural object into a participatory space for reflection and connection.
The evening was documented through photography, short video clips, and a time-lapse recording capturing the evolving surface of the sculpture as new contributions were added throughout the night.
Learn more about the project:
https://nizzotes.com/layers-of-san-jose/
