NEW YORK—A new public art project has transformed Times Square’s pedestrian plazas into a river of blue, announced Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan on Wednesday.
After winning a Department of Transportation (DOT) competition among 150 submissions, local artist Molly Dilworth’s work “Cool Water, Hot Island” was painted on the grounds of the five pedestrian plazas along Broadway between 42nd and 47th streets.
Sadik-Khan, Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins, and Dilworth officially launched the new street murals at a ribbon cutting ceremony on the ground painting.
“It’s a fabulous down payment for the future of Times Square,” said Tompkins. “This is one of the things New Yorkers come to see and love. It’s a perfect counterpoint to the iconic signature of marquees and billboards. This is a better down payment on Times Square unveiling in the next two years.”
The design was selected through a competition organized by DOT’s Urban Art program. Dilworth created the blue-themed pattern based on NASA’s infrared satellite data of Manhattan. It suggests a river flowing through the center of Times Square and provides a visual counterpoint to the area’s signature marquees and billboards.
In addition to its visual beauty, the murals can cool New Yorkers down. The color palette of striking blues reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat, improving the look of the pedestrian plazas while also making them more comfortable and cool.
Dilworth came up with the idea after experiencing the chaos of Times Square and seeing few places for people to sit and relax.
“People who have been working in Time Square for many years have never seen a project like this. And they are very happy to have it.” Dilworth said.
The painting used thousands of gallons of paint, and improvements are still being made to the intersections. The painting will remain for the next two years before they switch to other murals, according to Sadik-Khan.
“It’s going to be something really new, and it’s going to be a new tradition for Times Square.” Sadik-Khan said.
“Normally people have to go to the museum to enjoy the artwork, but now they can be part of it every day.” Dilworth said.
Dilworth has been a painter for a long time, but people normally see her work in galleries and museum. This is the first time Dilworth’s work has been displayed on the street so that everyone can enjoy the artwork for free. Other examples of Dilworth’s outdoor artwork include paintings on the city’s rooftops. The supersized artwork was able to be captured by Google Earth and could be seen from outer space.
After winning a Department of Transportation (DOT) competition among 150 submissions, local artist Molly Dilworth’s work “Cool Water, Hot Island” was painted on the grounds of the five pedestrian plazas along Broadway between 42nd and 47th streets.
Sadik-Khan, Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins, and Dilworth officially launched the new street murals at a ribbon cutting ceremony on the ground painting.
“It’s a fabulous down payment for the future of Times Square,” said Tompkins. “This is one of the things New Yorkers come to see and love. It’s a perfect counterpoint to the iconic signature of marquees and billboards. This is a better down payment on Times Square unveiling in the next two years.”
The design was selected through a competition organized by DOT’s Urban Art program. Dilworth created the blue-themed pattern based on NASA’s infrared satellite data of Manhattan. It suggests a river flowing through the center of Times Square and provides a visual counterpoint to the area’s signature marquees and billboards.
In addition to its visual beauty, the murals can cool New Yorkers down. The color palette of striking blues reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat, improving the look of the pedestrian plazas while also making them more comfortable and cool.
Dilworth came up with the idea after experiencing the chaos of Times Square and seeing few places for people to sit and relax.
“People who have been working in Time Square for many years have never seen a project like this. And they are very happy to have it.” Dilworth said.
The painting used thousands of gallons of paint, and improvements are still being made to the intersections. The painting will remain for the next two years before they switch to other murals, according to Sadik-Khan.
“It’s going to be something really new, and it’s going to be a new tradition for Times Square.” Sadik-Khan said.
“Normally people have to go to the museum to enjoy the artwork, but now they can be part of it every day.” Dilworth said.
Dilworth has been a painter for a long time, but people normally see her work in galleries and museum. This is the first time Dilworth’s work has been displayed on the street so that everyone can enjoy the artwork for free. Other examples of Dilworth’s outdoor artwork include paintings on the city’s rooftops. The supersized artwork was able to be captured by Google Earth and could be seen from outer space.
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