FLEXUS

Grimanesa Amoros video thumbnail for FLEXUS

Location: Harper St. Asphalt Plant | Queens, New York, 2026
AC Tank: 45 ft x 45 ft x 35 ft (13.7 m x 13.7 m x 10.7 m) | Silos: 25 ft x 55 ft x 50 ft (7.6 m x 16.7 m x 15.2 m)
Stainless steel, diffusion material and reflective material, LEDs, custom lighting sequence, and electrical hardware.

FLEXUS is a permanent light sculpture integrated into the AC Tanks and Silos of the Harper Street Asphalt Plant in Queens, transforming a working piece of New York City infrastructure along Flushing Creek into a luminous landmark that mirrors the energy and pulse of the city for all who pass.

A commission of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program, in partnership with the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Transportation, FLEXUS marks one of the most significant integrations of contemporary art into active civic infrastructure in the city’s history.

Rooted in Amorós’s childhood memories of accompanying her father, a civil engineer, to construction sites across Lima, FLEXUS transforms an industrial asphalt plant into a monument to the roads that connect every destination and to the communities they sustain.

Using an astronomical clock function in the lighting controller, Amorós synchronized FLEXUS to activate before sunset and deactivate before dawn, ensuring the work operates in harmony with the natural rhythms of its environment while conserving energy throughout the night.

The Architect’s Newspaper (2023) recognized FLEXUS among the NYC Public Design Commission’s 41st Annual Awards for Excellence in Design, while QNS (2023) reported on the work as one of three Queens projects honored by the Commission that year.

FLEXUS received coverage in QNS, Arte & Lusso, and The Architect’s Newspaper (all 2023), affirming its standing as a landmark work at the intersection of public art, urban infrastructure, and environmental sustainability in New York City.

Grimanesa Amoros finds inspiration in the construction process and the infrastructure’s significance. She understands the role of roads in connecting destinations and facilitating transportation because of her father’s occupation as a civil engineer. He always told her, “It’s the roads that lead to the destination; they help us get from point A to point B.”

Accompanying her father to construction sites during her childhood, Amoros was captivated by the precision and systematic nature of running an asphalt plant. The vast highways weaving through the landscape fascinated her, creating a captivating visual experience for travelers.

Her latest piece, FLEXUS, utilizes the astronomical clock function in the lighting controller; Grimanesa synchronizes the lighting sequence with the natural rhythms of the environment. She ensures it harmonizes with the surroundings by turning it on shortly before sunset and off before dawn. Her objective is to inspire viewers to reimagine the structure’s aesthetic and appreciate its distinct beauty, all while promoting sustainability by using energy-conserving materials and minimizing environmental impact.

Amoros aims to evoke wonder and enchantment. FLEXUS is a project that captures the energy and vibrancy of New York City, providing visual stimulation for the staff and the community. The program showcases the AC Tanks and Silos‘ beauty through carefully selected hues and intensities, offering a unique visual experience.

FLEXUS presents an opportunity for Amoros to celebrate the convergence of art, infrastructure, and sustainability. She aspires to ignite a fresh perspective in others, encouraging them to see the world differently.

Harper St. Asphalt Plant
Harper Street Yard, 30-01 Harper Steet, Queens. A project of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program, the Department of Design and Construction, and the Department of Transportation.

Incorporated into the Harper Street Asphalt Plant facility, FLEXUS by Grimanesa Amoros is an integrated light installation that celebrates the intersection of art, infrastructure, and sustainability. Located along Flushing Creek at the interchange of the Van Wyck Expressway and Northern Boulevard, the Harper Street Asphalt Plant facility is integral to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Division of Roadway Repair & Maintenance, providing asphalt to the greater New York City area. FLEXUS mirrors the energy and pulse of the city, providing a “scenic route” for all passersby.