A “Winteractive” experience at Downtown Crossing
“Untitled #2” art installation by Mark Jenkins suspended between two buildings. Photo by Amyah Bishop
A purple fleece, dark blue jeans, and a face covered in straight blond hair swinging between two buildings at Downtown Crossing in Boston caught the eyes of many onlookers down below, including Gabriella Riveiro.
This is one of 16 art installations scattered around downtown Boston as part of a project titled, “Winteractive,” presented by the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District as a way to encourage people outside during these cold winter months. All art installations are pieces from and inspired by Canadian artists.
“Endgame (Nag & Nell)” installation between buildings in Harlem Alley downtown. Photo by Amyah Bishop
Others include two clown heads titled “Endgame Nagg and Nell” wedged between two buildings in the Harlem Place Alley on Washington Street.
The girl swinging between two buildings from a swing is 1 of 5 untitled projects by Mark Jenkins most of which show people doing odd things in public. According to wbur his work in particular has had some negative reactions. One of them having to be taken down due to multiple calls made to emergency services in fear that the fake people were real.
Information Cube about “Winteractive” art installations. Photo by Amyah Bishop
On her walk Gabriella Riveiro noticed the girl on the swing. She then peered at it in confusion before reading one of the information cubes meant to give insight on the art piece.
“When I saw it, at first I thought ‘Oh my god what is that?’ But it’s nice, but I don’t know what it makes us think about,” said Riveiro.
According to Winteractive Boston, Jenkin’s art is meant to provoke the public to question what is and is not deemed as acceptable behavior while in public.
All of the art installations have had multiple mixed reactions on social media specifically on X in response to two Boston Globe articles that had different opinions on the matter. One is an art critics take on the pieces, the other simply praising them for being a good way to get people outside during the Winter.
Riveiro was asked her opinion on whether or not the art installations were effective in encouraging her out of the house. While the art pieces alone are eye catching for her, she claimed something else would pique her interest.
“Installations like this, like combining it with coffee shops. For me? You got me there, you know?” said Riveiro.
She also stated that along with a warm drink, having more winter shops would be enjoyable and successfully encourage her to leave her house more to explore the city.
