Aside from its art exhibitions, MoMA PS1 has come to be known for its über popular summer party series, Warm Up. Over the past 15 years, Warm Up has gained a reputation for being one of the summer’s best daytime parties, a refuge from the city’s concrete heat every Saturday during NY’s most blistering season.Aside from the killer line-ups, a major element that keeps people coming back each summer is the ever-changing look of PS1’s outdoor space. Each year, through the Young Architects program, the Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 select a conceptual design that is brought to life in PS1’s courtyard. In the past, designers have transformed the space into an urban farm, bamboo wonderland, desert oasis, and clusters of hairy domes, among many other incarnations. This year, the program has outdone itself with one of its most ambitious projects to date, and one that not only augments the atmosphere of the space, but also the very air party-goers breathe.Wendy is a massive structure by Matthias Hollwich and Marc Kushner of HWKN (who we previously interviewed about the structure), which is covered with titania nanoparticle-treated fabric—essentially a material that cleans the air that passes through it. She also spurts mist and even comes equipped with a water cannon that sprays refreshing blasts onto unsuspecting crowd members. Aside from being environmentally friendly (in fact, helpful), Wendy also provides shade, seating, and something beautiful to look at for party-goers, fostering one of the most delightful social experiences during hot New York summers. Like a giant, friendly organism, Wendy is less an installation, and more the life of the party.Head over to the Creators Project to watch a video and learn more about Wendy.
