Fisher Brothers have completed a large-scale improvement project at Fisher Park, a publicly accessible urban space at 1345 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown, Manhattan. The improvements include free public wifi, over 100 feet of bench seating, raised planters, tables and chairs throughout the plaza, and new granite pavers, steps, and lighting.
Fisher Brothers also unveiled an mural and augmented reality (AR) experience entitled “Falcon Dreaming.” The physical mural and AR experience were completed by Australian artist Yvette Vexta with tech art studio HEAVY.
View of Falcon Dreaming at Fisher Park
The physical mural is 56 feet wide, 23 feet tall, and portrays a multi-colored peregrine falcon in flight. In the digital space, the mural is brought to life through a free, mobile AR application that guides audiences on a multi-stage journey through the five thematic elements – earth, air, water, fire, and the cosmos. As users hold their phone up to view the mural, they are met by their guide, Ra, a character based on the Egyptian sun god. The falcon then begins to move and take flight, guiding the viewer to different “stages” or locations in the park. The experience also includes a soundtrack created by Australian composer Oli Chang.
Viewers can download the app, also titled Falcon Dreaming, on their iPhones using free wifi in Fisher Park or elsewhere at their leisure.
“Falcons traditionally symbolize victory, success, and rising above challenging situations, principles that New York City has embodied historically, and must embrace now more than ever,” said Vexta. “I imagined Falcon Dreaming as an iconic symbol of Midtown, created to inspire and bring joy to the residents of New York City.”
Falcon Dreaming is the latest installment of an ongoing public art program at Fisher Park and a $120 million capital improvement plan that kicked off last year. Additional artwork includes a large metal orb sculpture titled “HOME” by artist Michael Christian, a mega-sculptor known for his interactive installations at Burning Man. Located at the front of 1345 Avenue of the Americas, the sculpture features a layered map representing 15 unique neighborhoods in New York City.
Main entry plaza with a view of HOME by artist Michael Christian at 1345 Avenue of the Americas – Courtesy of Fisher Brothers Management Company
Interior improvements to the commercial office building at 1345 Avenue of the Americas includes façade enhancements, lobby upgrades, touchless elevators, and a new amenity floor with lounge, wellness, and meeting spaces.
“We believe in developing creative and inspiring spaces,” said Ken Fisher, partner at Fisher Brothers. “Art plays an important role in activating public spaces and, ultimately, defining neighborhoods. We are proud to partner with Vexta and HEAVY to create this custom augmented reality mural that will add a unique perspective to Midtown Manhattan, and we are excited to bring this new form of immersive art to the city accessible to all.”
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Yes, I know I can ‘look it up’, but please humor me..what are the cross streets that this building is between? Thank you.
It’s up in Harlem; 120th Street & Danny Glover Blvd.
I will soon be 74 y/o and remember when the “Burlington Building,” which is what it is called, went up. It’s between 54th and 55th on the west side of 6th Ave. The “key” for 6th Ave is: drop the last digit, divide by 2, and subtract 12. Thus, 1345, 134, 67, 55. The plaza, which has been “dead” since the building opened resulted from a rezoning effort in the early ’60s to provide public spaces set back from public sidewalks as a tradeoff to allowing builders to increase the FAR (floor to area ratio) of a skyscraper. The concept didn’t work. At least now, the plaza is more inviting and useful. My wife’s office was in the building and I’d pick her up in my car at the end of the work day when I could.
Thanks Roy! ( ..and I turn 74 next week 🙂 )
then you should know the building. This comment space should be used for some intelligent critical review or comment…..not the dribble that goes back and forth about nothing.
J, did you mean to say ‘drivel’ instead of dribble ?
Agreed that cross streets should be included in every article. Most NYers know that a formula exists to convert building numbers to cross streets for the avenues, but no one actually remembers those formulas. Giving cross streets is pretty basic.
That mural is the ugliest thing ever. Looks like graffiti
Between 54 and 55 streets on AOTA.