Tsai & Yoshikawa installed three unusual, large-scale and dynamic sculptures on a historic street as the part of an ‘Arts in Empty Spaces’ initiative in Hull City, England.

The installation, located on Hull’s Whitefriargate street and entitled Rainbow-Friargate. The artworks are inspired by the seaport character of Hull and are made up of a range of materials from balloons to ultra-violet paints.

The biggest sculpture among the three is the eight-metre tall Rainbow-Friargate Float; an intensely colourful site-specific piece adorning two large trees in the middle of the street. Organic cut-out shapes weave in and out of the tree’s branches, connecting upper parts of the two trees together and creating a vibrant explosion of colours, textures and shapes.

Another two works Blooming Propeller and Firework Celebration are light sculptures, which change colours from day to night, have also transformed the windows of empty shop units imaginatively whilst engaging with the surrounding environment, to bring continued vibrancy and a cheerful atmosphere to the Whitefriargate Street.

The project has been commissioned by Hull City Council and Arts Council England, and project managed by the city’s architecture centre, Arc. The aim is to celebrate and animate this very special part of Hull and forms part of a wider programme of activity aimed at encouraging interest in the city.

Rainbow-Friargate Float, 2011
Neoprene
Dimensions variable

Light Arrangement - Blooming Propeller, 2011
Wall-based light sculpture
Perspex, neoprene, lightbulb
190 x 190 x 90 cm

Firework Celebration, 2011
Balloons, neoprene
240 x 240 x 160 cm