Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Boston BID
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In downtown Boston, interactive art pieces like musical bikes are one of the 16 new public art installations in the “WINTERACTIVE” exhibition.
WINTERACTIVE is a public display situated around downtown Boston. It opened on Jan. 17 and features 16 different exhibits and interactive elements, including inflatable clown heads hanging over an alley in the Theater District.
One exhibit combines cycling with music. The Light Lane Bikes were made by LeMonde Studio of Montréal, and it features musical bikes with colorful lights and speakers at the Sumner Street Pedestrian Plaza.
Light Lane Bikes use “people-powered energy” to create a musical experience in the middle of the city, and anyone can hop on and enjoy the experience.
One person who was using the musical bikes said that the interactive exhibit “makes my day much better.” They added that they might come back for a second time that day to enjoy the artwork even more.
Another person shared their thoughts on the exhibit’s purpose. “The whole idea of all this is to get people down here, get them out of their houses when it’s cold and come out and hopefully support the local businesses,” they said.
WINTERACTIVE was produced by the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District in collaboration with three partners from the Québec province in Canada: EXMURO Arts Publics of Québec City, LeMonde Studio of Montréal and Quartier des Spectacles International of Montréal.
In a press release announcing WINTERACTIVE, Downtown Boston BID President Michael Nichols shared the goals behind the art display. “This exhibition will animate and illuminate our streets this winter, bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Boston, and punctuating visits downtown that could include shopping, dining, live performances, or office work.”
The press release also explained the reasons behind the collaboration with the Canadian groups, saying that the Québecois artistic partners “are leaders in helping people find fun, light and adventure to offset the realities of winter.”
Downtown Boston BID’s Director of Special Projects Kelsey Pramik added, “We hope WINTERACTIVE will give Bostonians another reason to take on a ‘Canadian winter mindset’ and explore our neighborhood this season.”
WINTERACTIVE is funded primarily by the Downtown Boston BID, as well as Meet Boston. The exhibit is also supported by the City of Boston, the Consulate General of Canada to the United States in Boston, the Québec Government Office in Boston and the Hyatt Regency Boston.
WINTERACTIVE is on display 24/7 through April 14.
WBZ's Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.
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