Crowd Gathers for Light Gate Sunset
Jan 28, 2024 08:56AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
A crowd gathered at the Light Gate sculpture in Manhattan Beach for the "perfect keyhole sunset" on Saturday, January 27.
The largest crowd in recent memory gathered on Saturday night for the sunset at the Light Gate sculpture, a twice-yearly attraction.
Nearly 100 people came to see and photograph the sunset as it aligned perfectly with the keyhole opening of the Light Gate sculpture.
Although many came with cameras in hand, others appeared to be just enjoying the camaraderie. Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin was on hand to help usher through the line of photographers to make sure that everyone got his or her turn.
The Light Gate sculpture is located at the top of 14th Street, between City Hall
and the Manhattan Beach Library, along Highland Avenue. The artwork is made of
glass, laminated with prismatic lighting film that creates rich and
varied light effects with the sun. A keyhole opening through the glass focuses the view down 14th Street to the ocean. Each January 27 and
November 14th, the sunset aligns within the keyhole.
Down underneath the Manhattan Beach Pier, a similar phenomenon known as "Pierhenge" - where the sun similarly sets perfectly through the pilings of the pier - also drew a sizable crowd on Saturday evening.
Local photographer Evelyn Schmitt, known as the "queen" of Pierhenge for her dedication and delight in documenting the event, told MB News that there were around 40 photographers at Pierhenge; around 10 with cameras and the rest with smart phones.
