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New York City’s New Mystery Art Piece

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When a new, abstract sculpture was installed in New York City’s Meatpacking District, The Daily Beast asked viewers what it looked like to them. The answers were…interesting.

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Sara Sayed

When it comes to art, we’ve all had that experience of looking at an abstract piece and thinking—what is it?

Rather than feigning understanding when a large, sensory-rich sculpture was unveiled recently at the plaza at The Standard High Line, The Daily Beast decided to ask guests at the opening reception what the piece looked like to them.

The Light Cave is the brainchild of Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, who are members of the Los Angeles-based fine art collective, FriendWithYou (FWY). The artists are no stranger to the whimsical and the surreal. Working in a wide array of mediums, including sculpture, painting, installations, and toy manufacturing, FWY has truly become the poster child for the post-Internet art era. Their playful exhibitions are often meant to be interactive and instill a childlike sense of joy in the viewer.

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Most notably FWY has been a frequent collaborator of international cool kid (and ageless skincare wizard) Pharrell. In 2010, alongside PAPER Magazine, FWY and Pharrell created Rainbow City at Art Basel Miami Beach. Massive toy-like sculptures invited people to connect to the wanderlust energy of their mini village created in downtown Miami’s design district. As pioneers of experiential art, the duo wanted to blur the lines between reality and cartoonish fantasy.

Now, Borkson and Sandoval have created a Rorschach-esq sculpture. The massive inflatable structure is filled with multi-colored light and takes a prehistoric yet futuristic shape. Those canopied beneath it are meant to feel united. The Light Cave will be on display throughout the fall.

Here, partygoers including artist Ryan McGinness and actress Alia Shawkat answer the question: “What does the Light Cave look like to you?”

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