Fisher Brothers, a fourth-generation real estate company that owns, manages and operates unique spaces across New York City, today unveiled a newly installed public art work at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, bringing a large-scale experiential art installation to Midtown Manhattan. The piece is a vibrant painted mural entitled “Falcon Dreaming,” conceptualized by Australian born artist Yvette Vexta. Located within the redesigned Fisher Park adjacent to the commercial office tower and the Ziegfeld Ballroom, the 56-foot by 23-foot mural integrates an augmented reality experience that takes viewers on a journey through the five elements – earth, fire, air, water, and the cosmos. High-res images can be found here.
“We believe in developing creative and inspiring spaces,” said Ken Fisher, Partner at Fisher Brothers. “Art plays an important role in activating public spaces and, ultimately, defining neighborhoods. We are proud to partner with Vexta and HEAVY to create this custom augmented reality mural that will add a unique perspective to Midtown Manhattan, and we are excited to bring this new form of immersive art to the city accessible to all.”
The mural, which portrays a multi-colored falcon in flight, is the beginning of a larger story. To bring the iconic mural to life in augmented reality, Vexta partnered with tech art studio HEAVY to produce an immersive, fine art performance that guides audiences on a multi-stage journey through the five elements of earth, air, water, fire, and the cosmos. Viewers can download the app, titled Falcon Dreaming, on their iPhones using free park Wi-Fi to kick off this experience. A walkthrough of what the user sees on the app can be viewed here.
The AR experience is designed to function as an extension of the themes in the mural artwork. Part performance and part interactive, the digital component aims to give the viewer a feeling of connection to the natural world, themselves and the people around them. As they hold their phone up to view the mural, viewers are met by their guide, Ra, a character based on the Egyptian sun god and the artistic elements on the wall begin to move as viewed through the camera: the background vibrates and shimmers inwards, the organic matter in the wings animates, a space scene appears, and the falcon emerges as a celestial guide to light your way through the experience woven across the rest of Fisher Park. Each stage of the experience is a stand-alone work of art complete with a dedicated soundtrack created by Australian composer Oli Chang.
The public art program is the latest investment by Fisher Brothers into 1345 Avenue of the Americas. Last year, the company announced a $120 million dollar capital improvement plan which included upgrades to the building’s exterior, an artfully designed lobby with upgraded touchless elevators, and a new amenity floor, @Ease1345, featuring a tenant lounge, wellness center and hybrid meeting spaces. Fisher Park now features public Wi-Fi, over 100ft of bench seating to work, collaborate and meet around new raised planters, tables and chairs throughout the plaza, new granite pavers, steps and lighting. Additionally, Fisher Brothers worked with world-renowned sculptor Michael Christian to install a large-scale stainless-steel piece titled Home that features an immersive, layered map representing 15 unique New York City neighborhoods. Home is positioned in front of the building’s façade.
Falcon Dreaming is located to the side of the building in the newly redesigned Fisher Park. As the focal point of the display, Falcon Dreaming features a peregrine falcon in flight embellished with a burst of colors. “New York City has the largest urban population of peregrine falcons anywhere in the world. Falcons traditionally symbolize victory, success, and rising above challenging situations, principles that New York City has embodied historically, and must embrace now more than ever,” said Yvette Vexta, Artist. “I imagined Falcon Dreaming as an iconic symbol of Midtown, created to inspire and bring joy to the residents of New York City. The digital experience is the dream of the Falcon in which she is portrayed as a sun or sky god-like character, transforming from Falcon to lead the viewer through the dream. This art piece traverses all the elements that make up our world, with a finale in the cosmos, creating a journey through the entire universe to be uniquely experienced here in Manhattan.”
“With Augmented Reality, we evolve the viewer’s experience from passive reflection to active participation,” said Chris Nunes of HEAVY. “Falcon Dreaming pulls you into an immersive world with a storytelling narrative that engages all your senses, transforming a city plaza into an other-worldly landscape. This is the promise and potential of digital art in the open Metaverse.”
Fisher Brothers’ commitment to the arts is expressed through the Company’s continued investment in unique installations and programming across its national portfolio. Falcon Dreaming is set to transform the neighborhood and redefine the standard for public art in Midtown Manhattan, providing unexpected beauty and a deeper sense of community to the area. Similarly, in late 2020, Fisher Brothers announced the completion of its $20 million dollar capital improvement plan at 299 Park Avenue. The Company partnered with Rockwell Group for the design of the renovation, including the installation of a 60-foot-long LED art installation by LAB at Rockwell Group.
For additional information about Fisher Brothers and 1345 Avenue of the Americas, please visit the Company’s website at www.fisherbrothers.com.
