CLIENT: EDC/NYC PARKS
PROJECT: EMANATIV
EAST 127TH STREET AND HARLEM RIVER
DESIGN: STARR WHITEHOUSE/LANGAN
ARTIST: ETO OTITIGBE
REFERENCE: JONATHAN GOLDSTICK, LANGAN
jgoldstick@langan.com 212 479-5502
DATES: 2020 - 2023
The Emanativ is a sound sculpture created by the artist, Eto Otitigbe that is powered by water from the Harlem River. Emanativ uses interactive sculpture and biophilic design principles to offer a unique urban soundscape that transforms the park into a cultural destination.The sound is released through special openings in the sculpture’s four towers into the surrounding area where it can be heard and enjoyed by anyone in the immediate vicinity. Emanativ will be tuned to a Dominant 7th chord comprised of 4 notes that was born out of the harmonic vocabulary that jazz musicians used to develop Bebop.The Emanativ exploits these tonal qualities to reflect the location in which it is situated. Harlem having a rich history in Jazz, Latin Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Hip-Hop, and House Music; and the Harlem River – a turbulent estuary.
The site provided a special opportunity to have artwork relate to the unique qualities of the river front and to respond to the overall project’s design goal of sustainability. SRFA worked closely with the design team to research and present artists whose work would be sensitive to site. As part of our role to oversee all aspects of the proposal submission and review process, SRFA also work with SW, EDC and Parks to work with the selected artists to engage the community in the creation of an enduring work of public art.
