Aurora, a spectacular installation by lighting designer Joel Fitzpatrick made its debut last week at a special NYCxDesign hosted by Whitewall. The event, which also marked the inauguration of the design district, was held at the in-progress 277 Fifth Avenue tower where Aurora can be seen on the upper floors—both in-person, and against the night skyline.
277 Fifth Avenue features panoramic views stretching across the city, designed by Rafael Viñoly with interiors by Jeffrey Beers International. The ultra-luxury condominiums, due to open later this year, is developed by the Victor Group in collaboration with Lendlease. Its Floor-to-ceiling windows and an incredible quartet of loggias are brought to life by Fitzpatrick’s lighting piece.
Photos by Jack Pearce. Courtesy of 277 Fifth Avenue.
A range of colorful light radiates from Aurora, meant to mimic the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights. The temporary installation, up for two weeks during NYCxDesign, illuminates a new side on Viñoly’s design for the luxury project.
“The juxtaposition of emulating a natural wonder in response to the ultimate metropolis of New York City has been an incredible experience,” said Fitzpatrick. “I hope that viewers can interpret and respond to this work throughout the city and contextualize the monumental scale and proportions of Viñoly’s architecture with a new perspective at night.” In addition to lighting design, Fitzpatrick has a background spanning across various fields including theater, dance, fashion, and interior design.
Photo by Sasha Charoensub. Courtesy of 277 Fifth Avenue.
Aurora can be seen from numerous points throughout Manhattan every day from dusk until 2 a.m. and from 5 a.m. to dawn now through May 31.
