Montclair Art Installation Still Turning Heads In Crane Park

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An outdoor art installation in Montclair is still turning heads a month after opening to the public.

"Point of Action" by Studio Cooke John will remain on view at Crane Park until May 6. Originally on view in New York’s Flatiron district, the illuminated work is free for the public to view and explore by night and by day.

According to a statement from the Montclair Center BID, which supported the installation with the township:

“Point of Action invites visitors to contemplate the experience of seeing one another—and being seen. Once the viewer steps out of their usual routine and into the installation’s threshold, there are multiple opportunities for connection with fellow viewers and with passersby. The work creates nine ‘spotlights,’ each with its own vertical metal frame. Ropes weave through each frame and part, like a curtain figuratively pulled aside, to make room for the viewer to take the spotlight, connect with other viewers across the park, and take action as they move out and beyond. Lighting emitted from a halo above each circle strengthens the framing; lights embedded into the sides of each frame add another layer to the viewer.”

The BID added:

“Studio Cooke John is a multi-disciplinary design studio with a broad range of expertise that values placemaking as a way to transform relationships between people and the built environment. Led by Studio Cooke John founder and Montclair resident Nina Cooke John, the Point of Action project team includes fabricator Charlie Spademan of Spademan Fabrication; Braulio Duran of NY Lighting Group, which is donating in-kind fabrication services; lighting consultant Jimmie Drummond of Drummond Projects; and the Montclair Center BID Ambassadors, led by Dylan Blackwell.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to launch Point of Action in March. MontclairTV34 posted a video of the event, which can be seen below.

Since then, the installation has been attracting visitors and making its way into cool photos – both in the daytime and at night.

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