DRAWING BOARD
The Arches of Harlem USA New York-based Focus Lighting has developed a plan to transform New York City’s Riverside Drive Viaduct into a large-scale public light-art installation called The Arches of Harlem. A collection of lighting compositions will be designed and programmed for the viaduct by Focus Lighting and inspired by select works of historic artists and emerging local talent. The proposal expects there will be a new installation opening every three months. “It is rare to find such architecture; these perfectly symmetrical, 50ft arches that repeat for half a mile,” said Focus Lighting Principal Brett Andersen. “To have that go completely unlit and unutilised in the evening seems like a missed opportunity on many levels. Our vision for The Arches of Harlem will use light and art to breathe new life into the viaduct at night.” Currently, the structure serves as an elevated roadway used primarily by local traffic, and during the day, is a picturesque backdrop to the quickly developing strip of small businesses, bars and restaurants below. Built in 1901, the Riverside Drive Viaduct was considered a feat of engineering technology and
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a strong symbol of New York pride. Despite its important utilitarian role as a roadway, the viaduct’s original design was sumptuously ornamented, creating a prime example of public works that married form and function. Now, millions drive past the structure each day as they commute to and from the city on the adjacent Hendry Hudson Parkway, and it has been featured in a myriad of films, books, television shows, and even music videos. With each new lighting composition, The Arches of Harlem will celebrate a new artist from various eras and regions of the world, creating a continuous stream of conversation around the arts. “As designers with a deep appreciation for art, the magnitude of this opportunity is very clear,” continued Andersen. “The ultimate hope is that The Arches of Harlem can become a tool to educate others about the power of light, and how it alone can transform a structure like the Riverside Drive Viaduct - which, in the evening, becomes relatively mundane - into something incredibly beautiful and impactful. www.focuslighting.com www.archesofharlem.com