Prospect Park Rainbow
The Meadowport Arch is a portal to Prospect Park. We propose cladding each of the arch's 12 interior bays in a different color that when viewed from the entrance creates a rainbow!
Leader
Benjamin Hollberg
Location
10-16 West Dr Brooklyn, NY 11215
About the project
The Meadowport Arch is a magnificent portal designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Olmsted to transport visitors from the frenetic intensity of the city to the pastoral paradise that is Prospect Park. The interior of the limestone arch is clad in twelve bays of wood paneling flanked by two continuous benches. We propose a high impact temporary art installation to the interior of the arch. Each of the twelve bays would be clad in a different color that when viewed from the entrance, due to perspective, creates a rainbow. Rainbows are traditional symbols of thanks, hope, and solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. What could be more appropriate for this summer!
The Steps
The cladding is a 3M vinyl film designed for exterior walls that will not damage the arch's existing wood paneling and is a material that has been used on Landmarked structures throughout NYC. The vinyl film has a lifespan of 3-7 years when installed outdoors. A 3M certified team of installers will perform the work.
Why we‘re doing it
PRIDE:
The rainbow Pride flag is a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. There is an intended association with this symbolism that is part of this project. The proposed timing of the installation opening in June is to correspond with Pride month. The rainbow arch will become a destination during the celebrations and as a symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
FAME VS FRAMED:
The Meadowwort Arch Rainbow installation reimagines the perception of a familiar space for everyone who passes through it. The 86’-3” length of the historic tunnel naturally creates a moment of shared one-point perspective intended to frame the meadow beyond. By cladding the twelve 7’-2” wide interior bays of the arch in a rainbow of color, the frame becomes the focal point and the distant green of the meadow along with the cascade of foliage above become the frame. This creates an inversion and oscillation between frame and focal point.
UNDERGROUND RAINBOW:
The organization of the colors to represent a rainbow, which is typically seen in relation to the sky, is now being experienced underground. An inversion of universally shared experience.
JUXTAPOSED MATERIALITY:
A juxtaposition of materiality is created by introducing a shiny bright colorful modern cladding to the interior of a dark grey carved stone historic archway.