Prism Transamerica Building (SF 2026)

PRISM is a civic-scale laser art installation that transformed San Francisco’s iconic Transamerica Pyramid into a monumental work of light. Created as part of City of Awe by Illuminate, the installation used twelve Laser Space Cannons to create the illusion of beams passing directly through the Pyramid, connecting landmarks across the city skyline. As described by the San Francisco Chronicle, the project turned downtown San Francisco into a cinematic spectacle, inviting residents and visitors alike to pause, look up, and experience a shared sense of wonder. Produced in collaboration with the team behind Laser Space Cannon technology, PRISM exemplifies how public art can reimagine the urban landscape through light, geometry, and awe.

The installation used twelve Laser Space Cannons projected from the 47th floor of the Transamerica Pyramid toward landmarks including Coit Tower and One Sansome, creating a city-scale optical illusion and becoming a centerpiece of Illuminate's City of Awe initiative.