Dates Of Visits: Feb 14 & March1, 2025
Location: Boston, MA
Summary: 17 spots (24 works of art) in downtown Boston (Downtown Crossing, Government Center and Rose Kennedy Greenway to be exact) with some fun and artistic exhibits
Website: Winteractive 2025
In it’s second year, the Winteractive exhibit in Boston, MA, featured a variety of creative and, in some cases, illuminated art displays.
The displays, which were scattered throughout the Downtown Crossing, Government Center and Rose Kennedy Greenway areas were created by a combination of American artists and our friends from the north in Canada.
The first exhibit at Winteractive was actually one of the six Mr. Pink inflatables.
Winthrop Center
Mr. Pink #1 (pvc, steel and cable)
Federal St
Located at Winthrop Center, Mr. Pink 1 was sneaking a peak into the Vermilion Club on Federal St. “Monsieur Rose” (Mr. Pink) is a considered a type of art called Mignonisme or Cuteism. Mignonisme is a form of art that embraces the aesthetics of cuteness in our physical and psychological environments. You will see a few more of Mr. Pink (6 in total) in this exhibition.
The Living Lantern
NEON Studio & Frankie Boyle
Shopper’s Plaza, Washington St
As you can see by the photos above, the Living Lantern offers a sense of light and hope. Visitors were encouraged to spend time and observe the lanterns change color, The changing colors were meant to express a deeper and longer lasting emotional relationship between people and their surroundings. The animated light colors infused the space with flowing colors. Video of the lantern can be viewed at the bottom of the post.
Alouette (stainless steel, indicator light, battery, car)
Brandon Vickerd
Washington St
No, that’s not my car. For one, it has less miles on it. But, it does remind me of the debris one might encounter on our highways in New England.
This art installation called Alouette is meant to be a representation of the failed promise of a brighter future. It also could equally represent the ever-growing obsession with connectivity and the resulting accumulation of space waste. This exhibit was made in 2017 by Brandon Vickerd who hails from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Brandon likes to introduce anomalies into everyday life to show the failures of scientific positivism and the utopia of its boundless progress.
Sonic Runway
Rob Jensen and Warren Trezevant,
Government Center
The Sonic Runway was a light-art installation that converts audio signals into patterns of light that shoot down a 342 to 432 ft (105 to 132 meters) corridor of 20 to 25 LED lined arches at the speed of sound.
At the front of the Runway, the observers see musical sound waves rippling away from them. Walking down the corridor, sound and light are always in sync. Looking back from the far end, walkers can see the sound waves coming at them, and hear the music as the pattern reaches them.
Mr. Pink 2
Philippe Katerine
Historic Boston Inc, School St
Mr Pink was located on the roof top of Historic Boston, Inc. on School St.
Celestial Garden
Lucion
Dewey Square, Rose Kennedy Greenway
One of my favorite displays in the Winteractive exhibit, Celestial Garden features a group of circular shaped spheres that change colors with the largest sphere housing some interesting works of art.
Celestial Garden was described a sa unique artistic installation that illuminates the heart of Boston. Inside the 30 foot in diameter sphere, a fantastical garden comes to life, blending sky, land and sea. This immersive space is home to fantastic plants and creatures, created from cut-outs painted with fluorescent colors that light up under the black light as soon as night falls.
Nature’s Glow
Mike Geiger
Summer St Pedestrian Walkway
Nature’s Glow was described as a light installation that stood as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of the spiritual and natural worlds. The design symbolized the nurturing embrace of a forest spirit, manifested in the structural framing, which tenderly shelters a bed of foliage. The spirit’s serene, watchful presence connects us to the nurturing forces of nature, reminding us of our intrinsic bond with the environment. This installation encourages visitors to reflect on their own relationship with nature and the unseen forces that protect and surround it.
Slap Shot
LeMonde Studio
High St
Slap Shot was a human powered hockey stick and puck. There was a little crank you could turn that turned on the lights on the stick and puck. You might see the lights on the white tape of the stick. There were also lights on the puck!
The exhibit celebrated the NHL’s first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off coming that took place in February, when Montreal & Boston served as host cities to some the best hockey players in the world representing their home countries: the US, Canada, Sweden, and Finland.
Mr Pink 3
Philippe Katerina
Post Office Square
Mr Pink was also found in the trees at Post Office Square.
Mr Pink 4
Philippe Katerina
the alley next to Barry’s on Chauncy St
Cycle
Serge Maheu
Government Center
The next exhibit, Cycle, was located at Government Center. It was lit up and it did change colors.
Cycle is an interactive installation inspired by the revolutions of the sun and the moon, that illuminates open spaces.
Composed of a series of modules allowing various configurations, and equipped with several light animation sequences, Cycle delights with its variations in intensity and color. Diffusing brightness from its core, it evokes the halo effect of an eclipse.
In a maestria of light and sound, Cycle comes to life at the rhythm of bystanders’ interactions. By moving to the beat of the ambient music, the young and the young at heart transmit their energy to Cycle, transforming it into a larger-than-life musical sequencer.
Hockey Hijinks
Brandy Saturley
Boston Downtown Window Display
This display combined Canada hockey and art history. Some of the art, such as the woman with the man in the Montreal Canadiens jersey are callbacks to real art (in this case American Gothic).
A Winter Messenger
Breehan James
Boston Downtown Mural
In folklore, white deer are said to bring luck and good fortune. In some cultures, they are associated with enlightenment, healing and personal growth. They are said to inspire us to seek wisdom, seek wisdom and embrace change while finding meaning and beauty in our connection to the natural world.
Nature’s Solace
Mike Geiger
New England Sea Aquarium
Nature’s Solace is a light installation that symbolizes the balance between the spirit and nature. This design captures the essence of multiple forest guardians, whose presence is echoed in the structure that gently houses a lush canopy of greenery. The guardians’ calm and protective aura serves as a reminder of our deep connection to the earth and its caretakers.
Mr. Pink 5
Philippe Katerina
Hyatt Regency Boston
This Mr. Pink could be found pointing at passerbys.
Polar Bear Passages
Brandy Saturley
Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) are magical creatures, loved by many. These white beauties often stir deep emotions in humans, especially now as their habitats are disappearing due to global warming. The Polar Bear is seen as a guiding spirit when facing dramatic life transitions, especially at the onset of a new path or major change in life. Capturing the playful and inquisitive creature as he searches for a new home.
Mr Pink 6
Philippe Katerine
29 Winter St
This high flying Mr Pink attracted large crowds!
It has only been a little over a month since Winteractive 2025 ended and they’re already planning for Winteractive 2026 on their website! And I plan on being there!
Please see below for some videos from the event!
I have been continuing my review of books by authors from New England or about New England. The latest book I re-read was Following Atticus by Tom Ryan (304 pages).
Without revealing too many spoilers, the book is an inspiring story of a man and his love of hiking and, more specifically, his love of hiking with his dog, Atticus. What a pleasure it was to re-read this gem! In fact, I feel like re-reading it again! The story isn’t just about a man and his dog, though (although it is the main plot). There are also stories of the challenges he faced with his family and other people in his community. You don’t have to love or even like hiking or dogs (however weird that seems) to enjoy this book. Although, it may help if you do.
You can read my full review (with spoilers) at my good read profile below.
New England Nomad 