Big Projects
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Beam’s Big Projects are large-scale public artwork projects made in collaboration with youth from NYC and beyond. Each year, projects are based at each of our three Beam Center sites:
At Beam Camp in New Hampshire (Beam Project NH)
At Beam Camp City on Governors Island (Beam Project GI)
In a local New York City community (Beam Project NYC)
Artists from around the world are invited to submit proposals through our Open Call process which opens each summer. Winning proposals are selected by a committee composed of Beam Center staff, youth, past project designers, and community members. Past Beam Projects have received international media exposure and won major architecture prizes.
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Beam Project NYC 2022-2023
Baobab: The Tree of Life
Baobab: The Tree of Life is inspired by a succulent tree that provides food, medication, and shelter for its surrounding communities. Designed by artist Tijay Mohammed, the piece will include a metal Baobab tree, Adinkra symbols, and African fabric designs, all of which will connect viewers to four hundred years of history from the African diaspora. Conceptually, Mohammed’s piece represents what it means to exist with an identity of your choice regardless of race, color, religion, nationality, gender, and ability. Beam’s Project Production team will begin prototyping and fabricating the project this fall with the support of our Fellows, and installation will take place in early spring 2023.
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Beam Project NH 2023-2024
Welcome Beacon
Welcome Beacon serves as the point of first contact for intergalactic travelers in future visits to earth. During the day, the structure is a safe, peaceful space for creatures of all backgrounds and dimensions to build bonds and form connections between worlds. After dark, Welcome Beacon transforms into an interactive light sculpture that visitors can play together.
Designed by Michael Runge and Mayowa Tomori of AMPL, Welcome Beacon is a safe and inviting space where people from different backgrounds and locations can feel a sense of connection through interactive play and discovery. Throughout the building process campers were encouraged to imagine what it’s like traveling to an unknown area and what would make them feel at home. While celebrating the completed project, campers empathized with each other and used their creative powers to welcome those who may be different from them.
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Beam Project GI 2023-2024
seeAsaw
seeAsaw is an interactive and immersive structure of 6 seesaws, connected by a spectacular draping hammock made from rescued fishing nets, which moves in wave-like motions that are reminiscent of the sea. Designed by Andre Kong Studio in collaboration with Ruben Correia and Ghost Diving USA, seeAsaw will help raise awareness of the challenges posed by ocean pollution and to pave the way forward by reusing ‘ghost nets’ that pose threats to marine ecosystems.
Recent Projects include:
Explore our past projects:
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