Hurly Whirly - New Public Art on 4th Ave

Hurly Whirly by David Barthold, fabricated by Beam Center youth 

On view at 4th Avenue and 2nd St (median) in Gowanus/Park Slope, Brooklyn - Spring 2026

11 ft x 8 ft kinetic sculpture

Marine-grade plywood, rust-resistant exterior-grade enamel paint, cold-rolled steel tubing and steel angle, laser-cut steel base, and various SS fasteners for connecting fins to armature and base to pavement

Read the profile in the Brooklyn Paper

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Artist Statement: Hurly Whirly is conceived as a riff on the tradition of whimsical roadside art, of the kind often associated with small businesses along American highways before the advent of the interstate system after WWII.  When traffic, and life, moved more slowly, roadside attractions had a quirky, even weird, appeal to the curiosity of passing drivers. The sculpture is meant to invoke the same sense of wonder the artist felt at the sight of such attractions during long family road trips through the south and midwest in the 1960s and 70s.

Artist David Barthold designed the artwork which was fabricated by Beam Center youth. As a part of their Public Art Production Apprenticeship program, Beam Center’s James Cafaro and Em Eason led a team of 5 young people, ages 16-18, to create the massive sculpture, using skills they learned in woodworking, metalwork and custom painting. The project provides skills training and employment for young people in our community, while also creating public art that enriches the entire neighborhood.

Why Not Art provided art advisory and project management support for this temporary art project. Project Partners include: Arts Gowanus, Beam Center, Forth on Fourth Ave (FOFA), Gowanus BID Formation Committee, Gowanus Neighborhood Arts Advisory Committee (GNAAC), and the Old Stone House Brooklyn. Thanks to the New York City Department of Transportation's art program (NYC DOT Art) for their support!

Funding sponsorship is from Why Not Art and supporters of Beam Center, including the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, Altman Foundation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York Community Trust. 

We are looking for additional long-term partners and sponsorship support to foster this pilot project into future multi-year public art installations. Contact Grace Freedman grace@whynotart.com for details.