‘Ribbons’ public art project proposed for Newtown Pike

A major public art project has been proposed to brighten 3 miles of Newtown Pike with more than 250,000 small green and blue utility flags set out in a pattern of long ribbons curling along the road.

The “Ribbons” project would swing back and forth across Newtown Pike, starting at Interstate 75 and terminating on West Main Street.

The art project would be installed a few days before the start of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Sept. 25 and be taken down soon after the games end on Oct. 10.

Landscape architect Mark Arnold said the idea grew out of temporary projects by artists Christo and Jeane-Claude, who are known for their large-scale temporary projects like surrounding 11 islands in Miami’s Biscayne Bay with 603,850 square meters of floating pink polypropylene fabric. Another time the duo wrapped the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris with 40,000 square meters of silky, golden fabric. Each of those projects were up for two weeks and then taken down.

The idea to beautify Newtown Pike originated with 5th District Councilwoman Cheryl Feigel, who also chairs the Corridors Committee. One goal of the committee is to beautify major streets leading into the city.
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