For the 10th consecutive year, Queens Crossing brings downtown Flushing an innovative Christmas art installation to energize the community and usher in the holiday season. The annual unveiling has become a renowned tradition for those who live and work in the neighborhood. To celebrate Queens Crossing’s 10th Anniversary, Queens Crossing and Crossing Collective are pleased to present Tom Fruin’s 2017 Christmas Art Installation “Luz de MAXIKIOSCO”.

Many may not be familiar with the name Tom Fruin, but you certainly can’t miss his iconic Watertower sculpture series at the south of Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO, where they grace the Brooklyn skyline, joining Fruin’s other pieces Watertower 3 atop of 334 Furman Street and Kolonihavehus now at North Brooklyn Farm. Fruin works with salvaged elements, where he often uses discarded and found materials to give birth to a new modern universe. By re-conceptualizing the most recognizable urban objects such as water towers, billboards, even houses, Fruin finds his way to compose poetic impression through artistic language.

Luz de MAXIKIOSCO was originally built in Argentina, entirely constructed from hand-cut and hand-welded steel frames with a thousand reclaimed plexiglass panels, and millions of steel rivets. The contemporary house structure composed of vibrant mosaic panels offers a visual and lighting effect close to a stained glass window, where it creates a sense of wonder through the abstract collision of light and color. Illuminated by the sun during the day, its colorful reflection softens the unfriendly urban environment and provides a new identity to the space.
At night the piece comes alive with dramatic LED lighting. The many vibrant colors of the sculpture will project out every direction, casting colorful hues on the surrounding buildings and the space. Those colors will also represent the vibrancy of Flushing as a community and Queen’s identity as one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in New York City and around the world.

Fruin emphasized: “the underlying structural principle of the work is that of a humble quilt: bringing disparate and varied scraps of materials together to make a completely new whole – one that represents family, warmth, and togetherness. Each scrap has a history and a story that enhance the work, making a new piece of prosperity.”

On December 1st, the organizers invite the community at large to take part in the annual lighting ceremony commemorating Fruin’s creation and the celebration of Queens Crossing’s 10th Anniversary. Participants shall include Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, New York City Councilman Peter Koo and Miss New York 2017 Jesaura Peralta.

There will also be a special live music performance by the member of popular K-Pop TV Show and award-winning dance groups. Passersby and visitors are encouraged to post their photos with the installation and hashtag #QueensCrossing & #CrossingCollective on social media (Facebook, Instagram, WeChat) from December 1st to January 30th and get the chance to win Christmas accessories from Pandora Jewelry.