Swirling street mural in Hudson Square ‘flows’ with the movement of pedestrians
Photos courtesy of Just A Spectator
A new asphalt mural in Hudson Square turns pedestrian movement into bold, swirling stripes of rainbow colors. Unveiled Monday by the Hudson Square Business Improvement District (HSBID), “Urban Flow” by Dasic Fernández spans Little Sixth Avenue and Dominick Street, featuring an evolving network of colorful bands that expand and contract to reflect patterns of circulation and gathering. The mural is intended to complement the future Hudson Square Plaza, a 6,000-square-foot public space set to open this summer.
The mural was fabricated on site by Fernández and a team of artists. It also widens in select areas to accommodate street furniture and create space for public activity, offering a variety of pedestrian-friendly zones.
The final coating of paint was applied over four days from June 2 to June 5, with assistance from Fernández, his team, and community volunteers.
The artwork visually expands the pedestrian environment of the new Hudson Square Plaza, reflecting the bid’s ongoing efforts to enhance the public realm. The 6,000-square-foot plaza follows a $6 million renovation of the adjacent Spring Street Park in 2018.
The group has also created additional open space through the renovation of Freeman Plaza East and West, providing accessible outdoor areas for both relaxation and work.
“Urban Flow” is not Fernández’s first public work in New York City. In 2021, he completed a 4,800-square-foot asphalt mural on Doyers Street in Chinatown, commissioned by the city’s Department of Transportation and the Chinatown Business Improvement District.
“‘Urban Flow’ will breathe additional life and color into the busiest entry point in the neighborhood, inviting visitors to experience the creative energy of our streets,” Samara Karasyk, president and CEO of the HSBID, said.
“Dasic’s striking artwork creates a beautiful carpet for the new plaza, extending Spring Street Park into a vibrant outdoor living room that sparks imagination and connection,” she added.
The mural is part of the large-scale public art program, Hudson Square Canvas, which launched in 2019. Since its creation, the program has completed more than 15 large-scale installations across the neighborhood. In a 2025 neighborhood survey, three in four respondents said public art improved their pedestrian experience.
HSBID now plans to deliver at least two installations annually as part of the program.
RELATED:
