ACRYLITE® Used To Artistically Transform Classic New York City Water Tower
Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin, internationally recognized for creatively turning recycled materials into art, used ACRYLITE® acrylic to transform a traditional New York City water tower. He replaced the mundane wooden panels with colorful acrylic sheets that are illuminated at night. The modern patchwork exploration of color and light, named WATERTOWER 3: RV Ingersoll, debuted atop Brooklyn Bridge Park headquarters and is named after a nearby public housing complex.
“Tom has done a remarkable job of demonstrating ACRYLITE®’s weatherability, light transmission, and optical clarity,” said Laura Torsiello, communications manager for Acrylic Polymers North America. “We’ve seen ACRYLITE® used in many creative ways, but his work stands apart. Since his art uses off-spec material, we also saw it as an opportunity to recycle our acrylic in a unique way.”
Fruin’s latest reinterpretation of the NYC rooftop water tank, part of his internationally celebrated sculptural series created from repurposed materials, features more than 1,000 pieces of ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet. The acrylic is attached to a steel frame and is the first of his installations constructed entirely from ACRYLITE®.
“The diverse collection of ACRYLITE® allows me to explore interesting combinations of color, texture, and shape,” Fruin said. “It’s also incredibly easy to work with. I cut individual pieces with a CNC router and sandwich them between two pieces of steel. The ACRYLITE® and steel form a super robust system—my first WATERTOWER survived Superstorm Sandy without any damage.”
Fruin’s installations are notable for their interplay of light and color. “During the day, natural light fills the piece, but I’ve programmed a light show at night to attract and reward viewers. The longer you watch, the more the colors change and the tower illuminates. It’s a special moment to see people admire it,” Fruin said.
Fruin also partnered with NYC-based Lumi•Solair to provide off-grid renewable energy for nighttime interior lighting. Solar batteries store energy during the day and power six floor fixtures and one pendant at night, all driven by a programmable board running synchronized cues.
“We work extensively in marketing to describe ACRYLITE®’s many benefits,” Torsiello said. “But when you see Tom’s brilliant thinking come to life, the biggest benefit of ACRYLITE® is the amazing creativity it unleashes.”
Location: New York, New York
Fabricator: Tom Fruin
