Transforming vacant lots into oases of art

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - January 13, 2013 (WPVI) -- Two vacant lots near the boardwalk in Atlantic City have been transformed into urban oases of art and gardens.

It's called Artlantic, a 5 year, multi-phase project to create works of public art by converting empty urban lots into peaceful yet vibrant meeting spaces and it's all free and open to the public.

The first installation is called 'Artlantic Wonder' and it's designed to evoke Atlantic City's rich history and seaside location.

Lance Fung, curator says, "The idea is that people enter this 7 ½ acre size exhibition space and they walk into this grassy mound and they feel as if they are being hugged by Mother Nature."

The first part of the exhibit covers an entire city block with a garden that will be red year-round, a giant pirate ship and words made out of light boxes.

"As the park closes in the evening and the inside of the exhibition is closed, the other half of the exhibition comes alive as words start to be illuminated at twilight," added Fung.

The exhibit also includes a 10 thousand square foot interactive mural that sits on the boardwalk.

"What it does is creates a phenomenal optical allusion as if there is a giant vortex hole going straight through the Earth, going out through the other side into Australia and in that center point, just dripping down into the bottom and as it disappears, it's replaced with mist and light," said Fung.

Artlantic is a 3 million dollar project funded by the Atlantic City Alliance and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Another installation will be added to the exhibit each year for the next 4 years.

You can visit Do Atlantic City for more on the project.

Get more 6ABC Loves the Arts »

atlantic city, lifestyle, 6abc loves the arts

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•