Common Ground

Inspired by the shapes and arrangements of shrines and sacred spaces, as well as the existing terracing of The Plaza at 300 Ashland in Brooklyn, Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong created Common Ground, a gathering and seating area where people can stop, rest, take in their surroundings, and play. Bright colors and block shapes make the space playful and inviting, and an interactive lighting display using Nanometer’s Pixel Controls makes the space much more than just a scenic bench: it invites people to have an effect on the space itself. As part of the Van Alen Institute’s Public Real R&D program, this sculpture was created with the intention to bring people together in a public space and celebrate inclusion and community.

Installed in the corners of the steps are a total of 74 feet of Nanometer’s NanoFlex RGB fixtures, whose silicone extrusions allow them to weather the elements. They’re connected to sensors at either end of the sculpture that trigger color changes and animations in response to environmental sound: voices, traffic, and the sound of footsteps on the sculpture. Nanometer’s Pixel Controls mean the LEDs can respond in real time to the surrounding happenings, and create a unique experience for each visitor. If no sound is detected, the fixtures slowly pulse through their catalogue of colors. The lighting is active both day and night, making the sculpture eye-catching and inviting at any time.

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The sculpture transforms the otherwise gray plaza into playground of color and light, one that does not “close” at the end of the day but rather becomes even more inviting as it responds with light to the surroundings. The light animations encourage visitors to experiment with sound to produce different results, encouraging interaction with the piece and with one another.