Type:
iNSTALLATION
LOCATION:
N/A
STATUS:
Comeptition
DATE:
2024
Awards:
ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC ART: ART ON THE PARKWAY FINALIST
COLLABORATORS:
Uwu team: danny ortega, anna lim, nicholas houser, bumjin kim
Prismatic Parkway transforms Maja Park into a vibrant and interactive public space that celebrates the spirit of Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A colorful canopy of suspended nets provides shade while casting dynamic patterns of light and color, creating an engaging atmosphere for visitors. Beneath it, sculptural seating elements with playful, organic forms invite relaxation, gathering, and exploration. Designed with modular flexibility, the installation can be reconfigured based on community input, ensuring it remains responsive to public needs.
Beyond its visual impact, Prismatic Parkway serves as a hub for social engagement and creativity. Public programs and workshops encourage local participation, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the space. Built with durable materials including aluminum EMT tubing and reinforced concrete footings, the installation prioritizes both safety and playfulness. Whether for a picnic, a casual meetup, or a quiet moment of reflection, Prismatic Parkway reimagines Maja Park as a dynamic and inclusive urban retreat.
flexibility & ADAPTABILITY
Prismatic Parkway embraces community engagement by inviting public participation in both its design and use. The modular nature of the installation allows for flexible configurations based on community input, ensuring the space evolves to meet the needs of its visitors. Playful seating elements, inspired by organic forms, are designed to be movable, allowing users to reposition them throughout the site. This flexibility encourages people to interact with their surroundings, whether by creating gathering spaces, arranging seating for relaxation, or shaping the site’s layout to suit different activities. By giving visitors an active role in shaping their environment, the installation fosters a sense of ownership and connection.
Beyond its physical design, Prismatic Parkway serves as a platform for local engagement, encouraging interaction and participation from the community. Through public programs, workshops, and open discussions, residents can contribute ideas and shape how the space is used, ensuring it remains responsive to their needs. The installation does not prescribe a singular function but instead invites individuals to define what they want from their park, whether it be a place for socializing, quiet reflection, or creative expression. By prioritizing adaptability and public input, Prismatic Parkway transforms urban space into a dynamic and inclusive environment where people, art, and nature converge.
Materials and structure
Prismatic Parkway is built with a lightweight yet durable structural system designed for both stability and adaptability. The primary framework consists of three-quarter-inch aluminum 3/4" EMT tubing, connected by coated metal connectors to ensure structural integrity while maintaining a visually open and inviting form. The installation’s defining feature, a suspended canopy of colorful nets, is securely fastened to the framework with mechanical connectors, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow throughout the space. Concrete footings embedded at key structural points anchor the installation to the ground, providing stability while allowing for an unobtrusive presence within the park. The modular nature of the system allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration, ensuring that the structure remains adaptable to different community needs and spatial arrangements.
The seating elements, inspired by organic, flowing shapes, are constructed with sturdy yet lightweight materials to allow for movement and interaction. Made of durable, weather-resistant components, these sculptural forms are fastened to concrete footings using rubber-coated steel cables, ensuring both security and flexibility. Visitors can rearrange the seating to create social gathering areas, resting spots, or playful arrangements that encourage exploration.
