Rebecca Maloney
Americas Press Office ,Boston
Arup, in collaboration with Stereotank, created an “urban drum” public art installation in New York City’s Times Square that engages and reacts to the audience.
Since 2009, Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, has invited proposals from architecture and design firms for a four-week public art installation celebrating love in Times Square. This year, Arup partnered with Stereotank on the winning proposal for a dynamic venue for visitors to interact and experience rhythms both new and familiar.
HEARTBEAT, which will exhibit for one month starting 9 February, is a music machine beating to the rhythm of a heart. The installation, for which Arup provided acoustic, audiovisual, and lighting design, has two modes. The first is the baseline heartbeat rhythm accompanied by a pulsing rhythm of light. The heartbeat rate increases when the audience approaches the installation.
The second mode is as a percussion instrument for public engagement, and for professional drummers and performers to join in during special events. The HEARTBEAT is equipped with various percussion instruments with unique sounds and resonant characteristics. Membranes of different sizes and materials are used to create a variety of drum timbers to accompany the baseline heartbeat. As the heart is engaged by the audience or performers, the light and sound transform into a racing heartbeat engaged by audience interaction.
After its run in Times Square, the HEARTBEAT installation will be reshaped as public furniture and donated to a school or community garden using both the structural frame and plastic tanks.