Hou de Sousa create "kaleidoscopic beacon" for New York plaza
by Stu Robarts | 11 Dec 2019
– Josh de Sousa
Hou de Sousa have created a playful, colourful installation for New York's Flatiron Public Plaza that filters its surroundings with shifting patterns, colour and light as people move around it.
Ziggy was created for the annual Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition, which has been running since 2014.
The call for proposals sought a "highly visible temporary landmark" for what is a relatively small triangular site.
The lightweight installation, described by the Flatiron Partnership as a "kaleidoscopic beacon", is constructed from painted rebar and 27,000ft (8,200m) of iridescent cord.
It's curved, winding form frames the surroundings through different apertures when viewed from different perspectives, while the patterns and effects created by the lengths of cord change dynamically as the viewer moves.
Curves or troughs in the design also double as places for people to sit, rest and enjoy the artwork.
Josh de Sousa, principal and co-founder of Hou de Sousa, said: "Ziggy is a polyvalent creature that strings together gateways, apertures and seating. This porous wall welcomes folks arriving from all directions while ringing in the holiday season with a flourish of colour and light."
Ziggy was installed in November and is in situ until 1 January 2020.
Hou de Sousa New York installation
The installation frames the surroundings through different apertures when viewed from different perspectives Credit: Cameron Blaylock
27,000ft (8,200m) of cord was used to create the installation Credit: Hou de Sousa
Ziggy has a curved, winding form that snakes its way along its site Credit: Hou de Sousa
The lightweight installation is constructed from painted rebar Credit: Hou de Sousa
The iridescent cord appears to change colour when viewed from different angles Credit: Hou de Sousa
The patterns and effects created by the lengths of cord change dynamically as the viewer moves Credit: Hou de Sousa
Curves in the installation double as places for people to sit, rest and enjoy the artwork Credit: Hou de Sousa
The installation is located in New York's Flatiron Public Plaza Credit: Hou de Sousa
Ziggy was installed in November 2019 and is in situ until 1 January 2020. Credit: Cameron Blaylock
Hou de Sousa have created a playful, colourful installation for New York's Flatiron Public Plaza that filters its surroundings with shifting patterns, colour and light as people move around it. Ziggy was created for the annual Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition, which has been running since 2014. The call for proposals sought a "highly visible temporary landmark" for what is a relatively small triangular site. The lightweight installation, described
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