Flowery: Urban installation by HQ Architects
Arrangements of flowers can often work wonders in grey surroundings – as proved by an installation that enlivens Vallero Square, a rather dreary area at the heart of Jerusalem.
"Warde" – as HQ Architects have named their urban installation – is positioned alongside a tram stop at the entry to Jerusalem's main market square and is part of the municipality's endeavour to improve the urban scene. Four inflatable and larger-than-life flowers embellish the section of street in sets of two, providing an anchoring point within the chaos of the locality and lending it coherence. As the flowers respond to movement, they inflate when pedestrians pass by, and as long as someone is in their immediate proximity they remain opened, providing welcome shade on hot summer days. When a tram approaches the stop, all four of the blossoms open at once, signalling to pedestrians that it is due to arrive. For an idea of the flowers in action, see this film.
