Colorful lanterns sparkle over Broadway in the Garment District
Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer /@DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance
A series of colorful lanterns are now sparkling above Broadway as part of a new public art installation in Midtown. The Garment District Alliance last week unveiled “New Start, New Hope,” an exhibition featuring 135 colorful lanterns illuminating three plazas between 36th and 39th Streets. Created by local artist Xin Song, the installation adds brightness and a sense of calm to one of the city’s busiest areas.
Strung in the air above Broadway, the colorful lanterns feature 12 distinct designs and are made of weatherproof HPDE marine-grade material. Inspired by her experience working in the Garment District during Covid, Song said the installation celebrates the neighborhood’s “transition from pandemic darkness into the light of recovery.”
“We are delighted to showcase Xin Song’s radiant lanterns in our neighborhood,” Barbara A. Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance, said. “Xin’s captivating creations not only brighten our plazas, but also demonstrate the power of public art in bringing our community spaces to life. We encourage all to visit and find a moment of calm in their day-to-day routines by visiting this installation.”
Song resides in Brooklyn and works from her studio at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in the Garment District. She attended the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Bejing, where she studied Chinese folk arts, including traditional paper-cutting techniques. In addition to being showcased around the world, Song’s art has been on display as part of public commissions in New York City, including the Garment District and Grand Central Terminal.
On view now through January 2025, “New Start, New Hope” is part of the Garment District Art on the Plazas, a year-round public art program led by the Garment District Alliance and the city’s Department of Transportation.
“Public art enlivens public spaces and Xin Song’s illuminating masterpiece will surely brighten our Broadway Plazas for the enjoyment of New Yorkers and visitors alike,” NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.
“We are grateful for our more than decade-long partnership with the Garment District Alliance in making shared community spaces more vibrant and welcoming!”
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