auruBOROS 2026: Golden Installation on New York High Line
Discover auruBOROS, a reflective golden membrane installation by Plastique Fantastique on the New York High Line from Sep 10-20, 2026.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- auruBOROS is a reflective golden art installation by Plastique Fantastique on the New York High Line, running from September 10-20, 2026.
- The structure uses golden mirrored TPU and ventilators to capture and reflect surrounding cityscapes, daylight, and pedestrians.
- The project was commissioned by BVLGARI for Serpenti Infinito in New York.
- The name combines aurum and Ouroboros, reflecting the alchemical concept of matter transforming from one state to another.
New York City welcomes a striking new temporary public art installation titled auruBOROS, created by artists Marco Canevacci and Yena Young of Plastique Fantastique. The artwork is exhibited on the popular elevated linear park, the High Line, from September 10th to September 20th, 2026.
At the core of the installation's visual identity is its reflective golden membrane. Its exterior surface captures fragments of the surrounding urban environment, including daylight, neighboring buildings, vegetation, the sky, and passing pedestrians as they move through the area.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Throughout the day, as these environmental elements shift and change, the overall appearance of the structure transforms with them. At certain moments, the installation stands out as a distinct architectural object, while at other times its highly reflective surface allows it to visually merge directly into the High Line and its surroundings.
Inflatable and pneumatic installations in dense urban environments like the High Line offer a fascinating exploration of ephemeral architecture. By utilizing mirrored membranes, the artists challenge how public spaces are perceived, turning a physical structure into an active canvas that mirrors the dynamic rhythm of city life, sunlight, and human movement in real time.
Regarding the title, artists Marco Canevacci and Yena Young combined aurum, the Latin word for gold, with Ouroboros. Gold itself has deep historical ties to the alchemical concept of transmutation, which refers to matter changing from one state to another.
In auruBOROS, this central philosophy is expressed through the constantly shifting reflective surface. This dynamic skin alters the continuous relationship between the installation and its surrounding urban context as light, movement, and reflections constantly evolve.
The realization of auruBOROS involved a collaborative effort across multiple teams. The project was officially commissioned by BVLGARI for Serpenti Infinito in New York, utilizing golden mirrored TPU and ventilators. Photography and video documentation were handled by Lavinia Freitas, Marco Canevacci, and Swan Park, with special thanks extended to the Bvlgari Team, the 2×4 Team, the geo – Die Luftwerker Team, and the community of New York.
Source: designboom
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