This winter, a whimsical art series is energizing downtown Boston with 16 installations. Presented by the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID), “Winteractive,” a captivating Canadian art experience, has been open to the public at various locations throughout downtown Boston since Jan. 17. The innovative exhibition, inspired by the lively winter festivals and art exhibitions in Quebec, Canada, is made possible through a collaboration with the Québec Government Office in Boston, the Consulate General of Canada to the United States in Boston, and Meet Boston, offering locals and tourists the opportunity to explore and engage with interactive art and play elements. The installation features artists including Mark Jenkins, Max Streicher, and Olivier Roberge.
Visitors are invited to embark on a 1.25-mile trail, which, according to Winteractive’s website, is estimated to take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Despite offering a refreshing outdoor experience in the heart of the city, some sculptures have sparked concerns due to their disarming realism and creepiness, notably the “Untitled” series by American street artist Mark Jenkins. One of Jenkins’ lifelike human sculptures, “Untitled #1 (Fisherman),” was taken down and relocated.
As visitors weave through the streets of downtown Boston, they will encounter a diverse array of artworks demonstrating the reflections and creativity of featured artists. The three-month public exhibition is set to continue until mid-April. From interactive installations that invite participation to visually striking sculptures that capture the imagination, “Winteractive” offers something for everyone.
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The “clown heads”—”Endgame (Nagg & Nell)” by Max Streicher, a part of a Canadian art experience in Downtown Boston called Winteractive, is hung between two buildings on Washington Street, next to the Paramount Center in Boston. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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“Untitled #3 (Woman suspended)” by Mark Jenkins is located above the Sixty Temple Place on Temple Pl. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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“Echoes—A Voice From Uncharted Waters” by Mathias Gmachl is displayed at 1 Franklin St. It is an interactive sound and light installation that can respond to passersby’s cues. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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A man bikes past “Blissful Rendezvous” by Kezna Dalz, located on the Summer Street Pedestrian Plaza. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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A row of garments is draped between two red brick buildings. “Untitled #5 (Clothesline)” by Mark Jenkins is at 9 West St, hanging between two buildings above the Brattle Book Shop. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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Details of “Untitled #5 (Clothesline)” by Mark Jenkins at 9 West St. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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Fishing with a hook with a heart—”Untitled#1 (Fisherman)” by Mark Jenkins is located at the corner of Summer Street and Chauncy Street, sitting next to the Macy’s sign. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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A woman poses in a photo frame located on the Summer Street Pedestrian Plaza, part of the “play features” installation crafted by LeMonde Studio. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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A passerby on a bicycle rides past four “Light Lane Bikes,” a piece of a public art installation “Play Features” by LeMonde Studio. The bikes light up and play music when you pedal. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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Look up! A man walking on the underside of stairs—“Untitled#4 (Stair walker)” by Mark Jenkins is on display at 31 Bromfield St. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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A woman swinging on a swing suspended between two buildings—”Untitled #2 (The swing)” by Mark Jenkins is hung between two buildings on Winter Street in downtown Boston. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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A miniature world encased in a metallic cube—”Territories 2.0″ by Oliver Roberge is displayed at 175 Federal St. After dark is the ideal time to appreciate the illuminated beauty of the diorama. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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Interact with it! “Island of Warmth,” created by ATOMIC3 and situated at 125 Summer St, consists of 220 light bulbs that can spark in reaction to spectators’ movements. (Annie Zhou/Beacon Staff)
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The mysterious silhouette of a unicorn—”Myth and Evidence” by Mathieu Valade is displayed at the corner of Court Street and Washington Street, adjacent to the Orange/Blue Line T station. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Correspondent)
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A woman scans the QR code that introduces “Untitled #2 (The swing)” by Mark Jenkins. (Feixu Chen/Beacon Staff)
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