Public Art: Seesaws in Manhattan

It is exciting to see public art programming becoming more popular everywhere. I got a chance to enjoy Impulse, these seesaws installed in a blocked-off stretch of Broadway in the midtown Manhattan Garment District on a Friday night in January.

This block of Broadway—between 37th and 38th streets, has been blocked off for the seesaws and a few tables and chairs.

It was late—post-theatre—and there was very light rain, but the seesaws were full. People of all ages, locals on dates and tourists alike.

The seesaws light up with activity, they make musical-ish sounds but it’s hard to hear over the thuds and shrieks of laughter. It’s a joyful experience.

The piece debuted in Montreal in 2015 and is the work of Toronto designers Lateral Office and CS Design of Montreal. The original installation was described as Luminotherapie,—bringing light and play to the long, forbidding nights of winter.

I love an installation that specifically invites play like the wonderful 21 Balançoires (21 Swings) piece that has become an annual (warm weather) fixture in Montreal.

The idea of taking back the street, the city, public spaces, for art and play is a seductive one. We need more of this.

[The New York Times piece on this installation has great photos and video.]