Through February 13, the Garment District Alliance will present Serge Maheu’s minimalist and interactive art installation Passage. Originally trained as an engineer, Maheu works to connect his expertise in film, animation, music, computer programming, electronics, and design to create cross-disciplinary and innovative art that fuses the digital and real worlds.
Passage was first presented in 2017 at Montreal en Lumière, Montreal’s annual winter festival of lights featuring art performances, gastronomy, and outdoor family activities. Fabrication and assembly of the installation was conducted by product designer Félix Ménard, with sponsorship for its current display from the Québec Government Office in New York.
For Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance, “Passage is truly a fantastic exhibition that has transformed the pedestrian experience on Broadway with its bright, colorful presence.”
Located on the public plazas of Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets, Passage consists of 20 circles of light that form a pedestrian tunnel. Passersby can travel from one end of the tunnel to the other for free, becoming fully immersed in the installation’s vivid imagery.
The artwork’s conception and name come from the definition of the word “passage” itself, referring to the process of transitioning from one state to another in a temporal dimension. Passage’s visual and sound design draws heavily from the conception of passage in reference to the enigmatic moment between life and death — often accompanied by sensations such as detachment from the body, feelings of levitation, serenity, absolute dissolution, and the presence of bright light.
While walking through the installation, each circle emits light and sound to create a transformative experience in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Over time, individuals can create various light and sound combinations, each offering its own ambiance that remains both personal and playful to the viewer.
For Martine Hebert, Québec’s Delegate General in New York, “With Passage, Québec’s creativity shines on Broadway for the fifth year in a row, and the Garment District Alliance demonstrates its strong leadership in presenting world-class public art that brings life and culture into public places.”
Next, check out 10 New Public Art Installations In NYC January 2022!
