Courtesy the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Colorful new public art in Downtown encourages ‘reflection and play’
The Instagram-ready installation by Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong consists of colors, seating and "motifs that dance across the plaza"
In these divisive times, we can all take solace in a little common ground. And as spring rolls around, a colorful new installation in Downtown Brooklyn hopes to provide just that.
Created by artist Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong with lighting design by the firm Arup, “Common Ground” is an interactive piece of public art that comprises a “colorful seating landscape and floor motifs that dance across the plaza.”
Wing-Zi Wong has a history of making public spaces come to life: Her sculpture, “Current” — which can be spotted playing with light and shadows along the walkway to the Tappan Zee Bridge — is a triangular sail-like structure plopped beside the Hudson River.
“My public sculptures are about creating an anchor moment to pause in,” she told Guernica last month. “We often take everyday spaces for granted, but bringing in an artwork can disrupt that normal humdrum and create an opening for appreciation and/or activation.”
To that end, “Common Ground” is somewhat reminiscent of Tetris blocks; the installation is meant to be a “bold” and “joyous” space that encourages visitors to sit and interact with. At night, color-changing lights illuminate the piece and shimmer in response to nearby sound, like traffic and movements of visitors.
“As a community hub, Common Ground aspires to cultivate togetherness and resilience, while encouraging moments of pause, reflection and play,” according to a release. The piece was established by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Gowanus-based Van Alen Institute.
“With its bold colors and interactive light display, Common Ground transforms one of Downtown Brooklyn’s signature public spaces into a work of art that will engage visitors while also injecting color and life into our streetscape,” said Downtown Brooklyn President Regina Myer in a release.
There will also be performances at the installation, including a Bed-Stuy artist and dancer Kendra J. Ross showing off her latest work on April 13 and fashion show from juniors at the Pratt Institute on April 22.
The piece is on display at 300 Ashland Place until May 1.
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