​Trace Elements consists of two large-scale, back-lighted glass murals integrated into the two pedestrian bridges linking the Sky Train Station to Terminal Four. Inspired by the intricate beauty of Arizona leaves, the mural walls comprise 28 individual laminated glass panels.  Mayer designed the murals as a rhythmic book-page sequence. To create the design, he pressed leaves into aluminum foil with an etching press. After inking the image to highlight the embossed lines and details of the leaves, he used a digital program to enlarge the “leaf prints” to the size needed for the murals.  The digital images were screen-printed and hand-painted on glass panels with permanent ceramic glazes, then kiln-fired. Each mural measures 115’ by 9’.

Daniel Mayer is a book and letterpress artist who works and teaches at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts School of Art.

Mayer worked closely with the PHX Sky Train design and construction team of architects HOK, engineers Gannett Fleming, and the Hensel Phelps Construction Company to integrate the design into the station. He collaborated with Franz Mayer (no relation) of Munich to produce the murals. Walters and Wolf installed the glass. Dinter designed the lighting in collaboration with the artist.

This project was commissioned by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Public Art Program with Aviation percent for art funds.