On Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 7:30 a.m., the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will unveil a newly commissioned interactive art piece titled “Love Letters” in the plaza adjacent to the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel downtown.
“Love Letters” consists of two red metal sculptures—each six feet tall and weighing 850 pounds—placed side by side. One section spells out “PS,” while the other depicts a heart and a “U.” By standing between the two, residents and visitors can become the “I” in the phrase “PS I (Love) U.” There will be a stamp on the ground between the pieces, not only to show individuals where to stand, but to urge them to share #PSILOVEYOU on social media. A perfect photo opp!
Funded by the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission and PS Resorts—with invaluable assistance from PSPAC Chair Ann Sheffer and PSR Chairman Aftab Dada—the work was designed by local graphic designer Maru A. Palmersheim and Jack Rivers of Palm Springs’ Canyon Copy and Print, who constructed it. Officially part of Palm Springs’ public art collection, the sculpture will be jointly maintained by the city and the Chamber for the benefit of residents, visitors, and businesses.
The piece was designed to be portable so that it can be displayed at various prominent spots throughout the city. Additionally, the heart at its center can be wrapped to mark any occasion, from the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Modernism Week to the Festival of Lights Parade and Greater Palm Springs Pride.
Grit Development President Michael Braun has generously offered “Love Letters” its first home between Italian restaurant Il Corso and Starbucks downtown. In honor of the lifesaving work done by healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, the heart will initially be wrapped in a giant white mask that will remind everyone to please keep one another safe while within city limits—and beyond! We love Palm Springs, but Palm Springs also loves us and wants everyone to stay healthy!
“The idea for this installation came to me while I was watching HGTV’s Good Bones, one of my favorite TV shows,” says Chamber CEO Nona Watson. “The series is filmed in Indiana, and the minute I saw the NDY sign, I thought something similar would be perfect for Palm Springs. Especially since it just happens that #PSILOVEYOU is the Chamber’s official hashtag!”