Queens, NY—Have you met “Wendy”? She is a pleasure and a joy to behold. Designed by HWKN (Matthias Hollwich and Marc Kushner of New York), the stunning blue outdoor installation is the winner of PS1’s Young Architects Program. The specifications for the competition required the proposed projects to provide shade, seating and water and address sustainability and recycling issues.
“Wendy” is on view through Sept. 8.
“Wendy” has a commanding presence, reinventing the outdoor environment that connects PS1’s contemporary entrance facade with the brick school building that houses its exhibition galleries. The 70-foot sculpture is constructed with a scaffolding system with enormous nylon-covered spikes that “reach out with micro-programs like blasts of cool air, music, water cannons and mists to create social zones throughout the courtyard.” At the base of the structure, there is a series of receptacles that appear to process water that is eventually filtered up through the work. As you admire “Wendy” from various angles in the museum courtyard, you may feel an occasional spray. The water and the work is refreshing.
“Wendy” is on view at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City from July 1 to Sept. 8, 2012.
All photos © Arts Observer
Detail of “Wendy,” 2012 (nylon fabric treated with a ground breaking titania nanoparticle spray to neutralize airborne pollutants).
According to MoMA PS1, while on view during the summer of 2012, “Wendy” will clean the air to an equivalent of taking 260 cars off the road.
A model of “Wendy” on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Manhattan.
At the base of “Wendy” white receptacles capture water.
Detail of water system at the base of the installation.
The yellow building in the distant background is the top of 5Pointz, an old factory building covered with murals painted by street artists from around the world.
