accumulating rhythms
Accumulating Rhythms is a public artwork to be installed on the Tobin Bridge, proposed by MASARY Studios. The work expresses ecological rhythms through dynamic, evolving lighting patterns and addresses themes of accumulation: of carbon, of hope, of time, of will to act.
The time is now for our region to affirm our commitments to ecological thinking, and bring climate conversations to more spaces as only public art can. Accumulating Rhythms is committed to creating a sustainable artwork, achieving net-zero embedded and operational carbon emissions through offsets realized at a hyper-local level. Once realized, this project is poised to become one of the largest—if not the largest—net-zero public artworks of its kind in North America, and potentially the world.
This is not about making history. This is about making our future.
This artwork is in active pre-production. Teams are forming, partnerships fastened, funds are being raised. Use the sections above to dive deep into the evolution of Accumulating Rhythms or check out some of the frequently asked questions below…
what to know
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Its regional icon
The Tobin is a cantilever truss-style bridge, the physical form of the structure invites both light illuminating the truss forms (which is efficient) and ample mounting points for exterior / direct view lighting.
Highly visible from countless points of view
Its structure is tough and gritty, we like to say “you can see the work its doing” and it feels honest for that text goes here
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Multiple meetings with MassDot
Discussions with Tobin-bridge-region managers
Approval from MassDot
Discussions with bridge engineers
Communications with the Secretary of Transportation (she’s for it)
Partnership w climate partner PF for climate / data / mapping and metrics
Software model building
Conceptual research
Extensive community buy-in across the region
over 200 meetings and countless emails sharing this idea, building advocates and learning about the related missions of related organizations and institutions
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Some people may never know what this piece is about, and that’s OK. It will be interesting, and hopefully beautiful - and beauty impacts people and helps them feel and connect.
We intend to create a vocabulary of expression in the light programming that feels like a code, or a dance. With enough intention behind what is driving the lighting patterns, we expect there to be a curiosity brought forward to the public
Communicating the concept of the artwork will be a critical activity, shared by partner organizations and institutions throughout the lifetime of the piece.
We envision numerous touch points around the region that bring the concept of the bridge and its design to a pedestrian level. These could take the form of
Placards / signage at viewing points around the harbor
Substantial museum exhibits at partner institutions
Signage and attribution at key locations; Boston Logan Airport for example
Partnerships with BPS and other educational institutions to reach broad audiences
Robust and copious communications initiatives
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IPrivate funds: individuals foundations and mission-aligned corporations
Public funds are possible, but we are not counting on this funding stream
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As an artwork driven by ecological factors, the bridge will not change colors for sporting events or other urban events
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Temporary illumination and sound score on the Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati, OH at the Blink Festival
Activations at various scales of Fenway Park’s Green Monster, The Opera House, The Hatch Shell
Permanent artworks in the collections of The City of Boston, The Boston Children’s Hospital and The Museum of Science
10 years of new-media, technically oriented artworks installed and touring in N America
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We will audit the proposed design approaches as they emerge for efficacy, durability and carbon cost
We will work with suppliers that can produce Environmental Production Declarations (EPD) whenever possible
We will conduct our own ongoing Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of activities and materials
Our intention is to install materials that can be uninstalled, resued, recycled, or otherwise responsibly managed, further reducing (and / or distributing) the carbon impact of the piece
And yes - this will be challenging. We intend to document this work carefully, produce our findings, practices, reports and make this information available to other artists, municipalities and institutions
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We are still designing the specific approach, but we do know we will avoid mounting anything overhead the roadway
We are interested in both interior focused lighting as well as exterior focused lighting
We intend to illuminate the main truss area of the bridge, viewable from all sides (no favored viewing angle)