Houston Chronicle on Arcade: The colors of a city coming back

Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle’s Senior Writer and Critic, Arts & Culture, features “Arcade” by The Color Condition at Discovery Green and Avenida Houston in the ongoing editorial series Art Daybook. Glentzer makes a direct comparison between the elements of the installation to the spirit of Houston post Hurricane Harvey.

The article’s tagline summarizes her interpretation: “Arcade” provides an exuberant place in the aftermath of Harvey.

Molly writes:

During that meditative moment, the new history of the artworks seemed palpable: Each brilliant strip hanging from “Arcade” could have represented one of the people who passed through the center exhausted, desperate and not knowing where the next day would lead.

Public art aims to engage people, and during the worst moments of Harvey’s aftermath, the works on the Avenida did even more, providing respite and cheer.

The strips of the playful “Arcade” installation utilize humble materials — plastic shower curtains, tablecloths, Mylar ribbon and day-glow tape. Some hang from existing structures; others are engineered on custom-made trusses. They’re exuberant during the day and magical at night, when all the lights come on.

Each section has a name: The criss-cross canopy “Double Dutch,” which straddles the Avenida, evokes the motions of a double jump rope. “Hopscotch” hangs on both sides of the street. “Red Rover” wakes up the light poles.

When the artists returned after the storm to “re-fluff” their piece, they brought a surprise addition: A mural-like construction woven with the words “Houston Strong.”

Read the complete article here.