Walk through a kaleidoscope of rotating, glimmering prisms in the Garment District

The Garment District Alliance has unveiled a new public art exhibit in the Broadway plaza between 39th and 40th Streets. Called Prismatica, it’s made up of 25, six-foot-tall pivoting prisms that reflect the colors of the rainbow and turn the street a “glimmering winter kaleidoscope.” The piece was created by RAW Design in collaboration with ATOMIC3 and is on view through January 30th.

According to a press release, “As pedestrians walk through the exhibition, the six-foot-tall, multi-colored prisms fill the plazas with reflections and musical sounds, creating an ever-changing light show.” To get this effect, the prisms were made of panels covered with “a dichroic film that reflects the colors of the rainbow.” The sound of bells comes via a variable-intensity soundtrack that occurs when the prisms are rotated.

“As our city continues to fight against this pandemic and recover, it was important for us to kick off a new, fresh year by introducing a bright and colorful public art installation to the heart of Midtown Manhattan that would inspire New Yorkers to remain hopeful and resilient,” said Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance.

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• ‘Open Culture’ program will bring outdoor art and live performances to NYC this spring

Photos by Alexandre Ayer / @diversitypics for the Garment District Alliance