HeartBeat

Marcelo Ertorteguy and Sara Valente founded Stereotank to experiment with the common ground between architecture, art and sound. Their focus lies on the research, design and construction of immersive installations in urban settings for the public engagement, often using found objects (or rather sought objects) as raw materials with the intention of exploring their re-configuration and their sound properties in space as another dimension of the material.

HeartBeat consists of a massive heart glowing to the rhythm of a strong, deep and low frequency heartbeat sound and visitors are encouraged to move around and engage with it by playing various percussion instruments. The audience was invited to come together and creatively play, listen, dance and feel the vibrations of the heart while enjoying the warm pulsating light. In the emblematic and relentless atmosphere of Times Square "HeartBeat" orchestrated multiple rhythms into a unique urban concert.

Near the end of their installation period, Stereotank transformed their design into innovative public seating complementing the iconic Duffy Square red steps, and renamed it as "HeartSeat", which then went on to please audiences in other public spaces around New York City.

Presented in partnership with The Architecural League