This new interactive art installation lets you attach a “wish” to a bright star
Around the world, wish trees emerged centuries ago as a symbol of possibility. By putting a tag on a tree, you’re thinking about the future you want to see. Now, Downtown Alliance has announced a new installation in the Financial District that lets you do just that.
At “Star Light Star Bright,” visitors can attach their vibrant wishes to a lit-up steel frame shaped like a star. Designed by studio Hou de Sousa, the frame is made out of 1,200 colorful chains and will sit at the plaza in front of 140 Broadway by Cedar Street until January 9. There’s even time to add a new year’s resolution!
The process is simple: a rainbow collection of wish tags are waiting at one of the Downtown Alliance’s partners, New York Marriott Downtown, Blue Spoon Coffee Company, Mercer Labs and other area businesses. Pick up a pre-printed one and add it to the artwork directly: it’ll be easy to find it, it’s full of colorful written-out hopes!
RECOMMENDATION: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree In NYC 2024 Guide
“As the winter season sets in, ‘Star Light Star Bright’ will be a bright and joyful addition to Lower Manhattan, providing a reason to gather, reflect and create a sense of community,” said Jessica Lappin, president of the Downtown Alliance, in an official statement. “We hope it encourages locals and visitors alike to take a moment outdoors, enjoy the lights and share their wishes for the future.”
On Wednesdays through the season, Downtown Alliance is celebrating the installation with free refreshments and live music from nearby partners. You can grab a snack from Pi Bakerie’s the Cookie Odyssey on December 4, a pick-me-up from Simpl Coffee on December 11 and a treat from Blue Spoon on December 18. The performers come from New York Collective, such as Svetlana Shmulyian, Alphonso Horne and Gina Soto.
If you can’t make it to one of the events, you can still add a wish to the star. To get the tag, find a Downtown Alliance partner on the official website.