Bringing Dana Albany’s ‘Release’ to Life in San Francisco

Dana Albany
Mar 24
2 min read

Updated: Apr 25

Towering over 33 feet tall, Release is a breathtaking sculpture of a female figure emerging from a chrysalis. With arms gently outstretched and butterflies floating from her hands, she’s suspended in a moment of becoming—mid-transformation, mid-flight. A gesture of letting go. A symbol of rebirth.

After an unforgettable debut at Burning Man 2024, Release returned to San Francisco in March 2025. Now she’s ready for her next chapter. Dana and her team are in early conversations with potential partners—museums, parks departments, and public art programs who share the vision of Release in an urban space and want to bring it to life.

We strongly believe that public art brings people together. It invites stillness, wonder, and presence. Release is designed for moments like that—for pause, awe, reflection. It is both a mirror and a sanctuary.

The Vision That Inspired Release

The emotional and symbolic core of the sculpture is transformation. Dana was drawn to the Greek word psyche, which means both soul and butterfly. That dual meaning became the heart of the piece.

The chrysalis—crafted from broken, beautiful objects—echoes the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, where cracks and imperfections are honored rather than hidden. The sculpture itself is faceless, intentionally so. Viewers are invited to see themselves in her form, to ask: What am I ready to release? What could I become?

At night, the sculpture completely transforms because of the elegant and sublime lighting design. The sculpture’s crown of butterflies flutters with light—a subtle animation that makes the butterflies feel alive.

The playa installation had benches made of redwood slabs, with hidden speakers underneath. Visitors could sit in the dark and feel classical music resonate through their bodies.

Around the Base of Release Mosaic-lit fireplaces shaped like butterflies, casting a warm, golden glow across the installation. It's more than a sculpture—it's a full-body experience that is immersive and meditative. As Dana puts it: “It's like entering a world.”