Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Summer Streets Returns With New Seven-Block Art Installation

 Summer in the streets will return to Park Avenue on Aug. 3, 10 and 17.
Summer Streets Returns In August
View Full Caption

GRAMERCY — Summer Streets is back again this year with an altered route that will include a 1,400-foot-long art installation along the Park Avenue Tunnel.

The Department of Transportation will once again close Park Avenue and Lafayette Street to vehicle traffic from 72nd Street to the Brooklyn Bridge and allow pedestrians to roam free on Aug. 3, 10 and 17.

As in past years, Summer Streets will feature six rest stops and a variety of events along the route, including zip lining, rock climbing, a parkour demonstration and an art installation in the Park Avenue tunnel — which has been added to the route for the first time, the Department of Transportation announced.

The Park Avenue Tunnel runs seven blocks from 33rd to 40th streets and will host an interactive light and sound installation called “Voice Tunnel," by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

Along the tunnel's wall and ceiling, 360 theatrical spotlights will create glimmering arches. Participants will be able to control the intensity of the light by speaking into a special intercom located at the center of the tunnel, which will record the voice and loop it through 180 speakers. The louder the sound, the brighter the lights, the DOT said.

In another installation, at the 52nd Street rest stop, artist Chat Travieso created a water mister that connects to fire hydrants and showers participants, using parts made from recycled PVC piping.

Rock climbing will return to the SoHo rest stop this year, along with the zip lining and parkour demonstrations at Foley Square.

During Summer Streets, which runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three Saturdays, many of the crosstown streets will remain open to vehicle traffic, including Chambers, Canal, 14th, 34th, 42nd and 57th streets.

For more information about the route and scheduled activities, visit the Summer Streets website.