Francisco Zamorano

NYC Promenade

NYC Promenade experience from Francisco Zamorano on Vimeo.

Overview

The NYC Promenade project was developed in collaboration with Jonathan Baldwin. We were tasked with creating an inventive intervention in the public sphere. The goal was to set up something quick and temporary, guerilla-style in a place with high traffic.

We chose the Brooklyn Heights Promenade because of the broad diversity of people it attracts; tourists, babysitters, runners, passive viewers and locals stroll by this beautiful place everyday. People come here primarily for the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. The place was designed for that purpose – all the benches face Manhattan. By giving visitors a unique view – connecting the Manhattan skyline with Brooklyn’s – and letting the viewer peer from the opposite side of the East River, they would garner interest in the immediate area and spend some time walking around the Brooklyn neighborhood.

The goal was to foster social interaction of the participants and let them interact with the site in a playful manner, while giving additional information about the Skyline and the surroundings of the Promenade.

Interaction

The device consists of a double-sided canvas divided in five vertical sections. Each section has a pivot mechanism that allows them to be turned in 360 degrees to view both sides fluidly.

The participants can use the device as they want, giving them the freedom to see only one side, both sides or a mix between both sides, depending on which sections they turn.

As soon as we set it up we realized it was successful. People explored the interface by turning different panels in various orders and photographing the device for later consumption. They definitely had fun and some of stayed for quite a long time, talking to each other about the buildings. A specifically wonderful case involved a tourist guide working with some French visitors. After being surprised to see this new object in a place she knew pretty well, she started using the device as a tool to complement her pitch.