Date of Event Currently on display (Jan 17 – Apr 15)
Location: Downtown Boston (MA)
Cost: Free
Parking: There are several parking garages in the downtown Boston area.
Universally Accessible: Yes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Website: Winteractive
Summary: 16 art exhibits are located throughout downtown Boston.
While this winter weather may have been a difficult one for many of us, there was a bright spot in the downtown Boston area. The walkable art exhibit known as Winteractive brought some color and fun to what can be a dreary and frigid Boston winter.
The exhibits, which were inspired by the winter art festivals in Quebec, Canada, are located throughout the downtown Boston area. However, they are mainly located near Downtown Crossing train station, City Hall Plaza and High Street as well as Summer St. near the South Station train station. You can view the locations on this map. While it is possible to walk to all of the exhibits, it may be a good idea to use public transportation or rideshare services to view some of the exhibits off the beaten path.
As you will see, some of the exhibits are interactive. Whenever possible, I got some friendly people to help use the interactive devices for filming. I am listing these exhibits in the order of their locations. Eleven exhibits are are located in or near the Downtown Crossing area. Two more are located in or near City Hall Plaza and the last 2 are located in the Financial District on or near Summer St. Consult the map on the attached link above if you plan on visiting these exhibits.
Echoes: A Voice From Unchartered Waters
1 Franklin St
Mathias Gmachl (United Kingdom)
Steel structure on base
As you emerge from the Downtown Crossing train station, the first exhibit you will see ifs Echoes: A Voice From Unchartered Waters. This exhibit in the shape of a whale is meant to ask us to consider our everyday activities on nature and the environment and to make us be more aware of its fragility. The exhibit not only lights up. It also makes sounds that you can only hear if you’re very close to it.
The artist Mathias Gmachl said he wanted to create a space for people to discuss the future of our planet.
The next 5 works of art were all completed by the same artist; Mark Jenkins. These are all listed below. Mark uses common household or personal items such as tape, wigs, fabrics, fishing rods (yes fishing rods) and rope among other items in his work. Although there is not ,more information available for all of these exhibits, I have included some info when I can find it. Since some of the exhibits relied on their lighting to add to their artistic value, I only went either at night or just before night time. I did like how the sunset or pre sunset light reflected on some of the installations.
Fisherman (Untitled #1)
Summer St at Chauncy St
It is not fish, but love, this person is trying to catch. Good luck, there!
The Swing (Untitled # 2)
Winter St at Tremont St
Woman Suspended (Untitled #3)
Temple Pl
*this exhibit is temporarily unavailable
Stairwalker (Untitled # 4)
31 Bromfield St
Clothesline (Untitled #5)
9 West St (the site of the outdoor lot at Brattle Book Shop)
Blissful Rendezvous
Summer Street Pedestrian Plaza
Kezna Dalz
Vinyl digital print
This exhibit was meant to show the commonalities between the Boston and Quebec provinces by including the flora and fauna of both locations and using Boston as its backdrop. You may notice some of the more notable landmarks and things common in Massachusetts and New England such as lobsters, deer and colorful flowers.
There are also 5 “play feature” exhibits made by LeMonde Studio. They make sounds, light up or do some other fun things based on user interaction.
Light Lane Bikes
Summer Street Pedestrian Plaza
I tried to get someone to ride these bikes so I could display the way the lights change but I had no takers. The colored lines on the bikes light up and moved as people pedal. That’s it!
Guitar Slide
City Hall Plaza
As the name suggests, there is a slide on the neck of this guitar
Music Box
High Street Place Entrance
Photo Frame
Summer Street Pedestrian Plaza
I was able to persuade someone to crank the lever on the device next to the frame and light up this picture frame!
Bird House
Hyatt Regency, One Avenue De Lafayette
This is another interactive exhibit. You simply crank the lever on the box and the bird makes some interesting sounds!
“End Game” (Nagg & Nell)
Max Streicher
Recycled vinyl signs, fans, steel cable
This was certainly my, and many other people’s, favorite exhibit. There were always a group of people stopping by to photograph it whenever I passed by the area. However, the back story of the characters in this exhibit is pretty grim. The inflatable heads are based on characters in the play by Irish novelist Samuel Beckett; End Game. In this play, the characters Nell and Nagg are forced to live out their lives in a dumpster after losing their legs. Yikes.
Myth And Evidence
Washing St and Court St
Mathieu Valade
Urethane animal shape, faux fur, metal, polycarbonate, plywood, wood
The mythical unicorn stands behind a frosted glass display. This was a tricky photo to take. I wanted to photograph it at night to show off the light in the display. Yet, the display did tend to reflect the glare from the street lights and lights from the storefronts. In retrospect, I should have photographed it from the other side.
Island Of Warmth
125 Summer St
ATOMIC3
Steel and light elements
Two hundred and twenty bulbs light up intermittently on this visual, musical and luminous display. The Island of Warmth is a tribute to Montreal’s festive tradition. But, despite the name, it’s not going to keep you warm. So, don’t try to warm up by it!
Territories 2.0
175 Federal St
Olivier Roberge
Steel, polycarbonate, paint, miniature models, LED lighting
Described as a “true narrative microcosm”, this walk in exhibit is a diorama which depicts a natural environment that has been abundantly transformed by human intervention and climate change.
Although it’s more like Springactive at this point, this exhibit is a must see if you’re in the Boston area! But, don’t wait. The displays will only be up until April 15!
April 7th, 2024 at 4:26 pm
There’s some cool art there! I liked the whale, and lightbulb exhibits.
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April 7th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Yes, the light up displays were very impressive! I am glad I decided to photograph it at night so I could capture the beauty and charm of these light up exhibits!
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April 7th, 2024 at 5:12 pm
The bicycles remind me of the Tron films.
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April 7th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
💯 Great observation!
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April 8th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Thanks.
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April 7th, 2024 at 7:27 pm
This is all delightful. I hadn’t read about it anywhere.
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April 7th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Yes, it was kind of a hidden gem. I didn’t see or hear a lot of advertising or promotions about it. It really is a great display though!
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April 7th, 2024 at 10:12 pm
Fabulous.
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April 7th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Thank you!
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April 8th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
That’s a lot of nice artwork. That whale is cool. 😎
We were in Boston years ago, when our son-in-law was attending MIT, but I don’t remember seeing any of that fine artwork.
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April 8th, 2024 at 5:22 pm
The whale was very cool! I’m surprised there wasn’t some exhibit or art installation during your visit. The city usually tries to have some exhibits up, especially during the warmer seasons, to attract tourism and visitors to the city. They had cow statues up last year.
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April 8th, 2024 at 6:25 pm
We were staying in Cambridge and went to Boston a few times. I was impressed with the history of the city and the restaurants we went to. Just because I don’t remember the art displays doesn’t mean they weren’t there.
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April 9th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
These displays look excellent. Thanks for the tour. Neil S.
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April 9th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Thank you, Neil! It was my pleasure!
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May 7th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Very cool! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for noting the availability of free parking. Two of my kids went to college in Boston, but I haven’t been there in many years now.
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May 7th, 2024 at 10:52 pm
Thank you! I hope to post photos from more events in Boston this summer!
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May 13th, 2024 at 2:12 am
hope that poor lady managed to get down from the swing okay 😉
looks like a fun trail
-✧✦☆❖◈❋✤☆✦-∞-♡-∞-✦☆✤❋◈❖☆✦✧-
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May 13th, 2024 at 10:49 pm
😁 she was up there for a while!
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