Bouncing around on Broadway seesaws
Manhattan residents can bounce up and down on the “Impulse” seesaws through the end of
this month.
BY GABE HERMAN
It’s not every day you see people seesawing away in the
middle of a Manhattan street, but that’s what you’ll
find through this month on one Broadway block near
Midtown.
The interactive art installation, called “Impulse,” features
12 big seesaws set up on Broadway between 37th
and 38th Streets, with the block completely closed to
vehicles through Jan. 31, when the installation ends. It’s
part of the city Department of Transportation’s Seasonal
Streets Program.
The installation is presented by the Garment District
Alliance, and includes seesaws ranging from 16 to 24
(PHOTOS BY GABE HERMAN)
feet and with LED lights and speakers. As the seesaws
bob back and forth, they glow with light and produce
random notes and sound sequences.
More importantly, the users bouncing on the devices
Jan. 6 all seemed to be having a great time — if the
from the laughter and smiles seen from people of all
ages were any judge.
“This is a truly fantastic interactive art experience that
creates a unique area of urban play on our pedestrian
plazas,” said Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment
District Alliance. “As part of our commitment to enhancing
the pedestrian experience year-round, we are proud
to introduce a new, captivating installation that brightens
Broadway in the Garment District this winter and brings
joy to all who visit.”
Impulse premiered at a Montreal festival in 2015-16,
and was created by Lateral Office and CS Design in collaboration
with EGP Group. The installation on Broadway
is part of Garment District Art on the Plazas, which
is year-round and part of NYC DOT’s Art Program.
“Even in the cold weather, streets in Midtown Manhattan
are teeming with pedestrians,” said Sean Quinn,
Assistant Commissioner for Street Improvement Programs
at DOT. “Initiatives like Seasonal Streets respond
directly to the demand for more pedestrian space. The
addition of “Impulse” is a welcome feature that activates
the Seasonal Street in a unique and engaging way for
all New Yorkers.”
More information on “Impulse” is at garmentdistrict.
nyc/arts/art-installations/impulse.
Come to a New York Family Camp Fair to Get Organized
• Daycare & Childcare • A Patchwork of Summer Activities
Saturday, January 25th, 12 – 3PM
The Spence School
22 E 91st Street
New York, NY 10128
Sunday, January 26th, 12 – 3PM
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 W 83rd Street
New York, NY 10024
• School and Education Programs
Saturday, February 1st, 12 – 3PM
Battery Park City School
55 Battery Place
New York, NY 10004
REGISTER FOR FREE TODAY AT:
NewYorkFamily.com/camp-fairs/registration
Sponsored by
10 January 9, 2020 Schneps Media
/registration
