Interactive window installation brings people together in Murray Hill (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
141 East 33rd St. at Lexington Ave.
Through January 12
Admission: free
www.madbutter.com
www.chashama.org
In association with the nonprofit arts organization chashama, real estate company Stonehenge Partners, and Sensacell modular sensor surface, SVA grad and Rare Medium founding partner Robert Stratton has set up a fun, interactive art installation at the empty storefront at the northeast corner of Lexington and 33rd. While art lovers are used to being told not to touch, here you must make contact in order to see the piece operate to get the full effect. As the window display changes patterns, from vertical color bars to horizontal stripes to white clouds in a blue sky, passersby are encouraged to touch the electronic canvas to make the moving patterns stop, shift, angulate, change colors, and expand. The display is particularly attractive at night, where you’ll soon find yourself laughing with strangers as you all gather ’round and manipulate the various screens. It’s a welcome addition to a corner where many a store has failed, bringing new life to what was becoming a desolate wasteland.