DBP brings new “asphalt art” to Shared Streets: 1FLUSS by BOICUT

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) today began installation of ground murals – known as “asphalt art” – within the pedestrian spaces of the neighborhood’s ever-expanding Shared Street network. In addition to Shared Street’s signature planters, granite blocks, bike corrals, and street furniture, this new public art will enhance the public realm, visually connect the area’s core streets, and increase safety by delineating pedestrian priority zones.

Inspired by street views of the neighborhood’s shops and signs strung together by shared infrastructure, Austrian artist, BOICUT, designed vibrant artwork distilled into diverse shapes filled with abstract lines. His distinctive palette of six vibrant colors, style, and use of visual elements aim to unify the many pedestrian fragments into a cohesive artwork that will build design connections across the neighborhood. 1FLUSS will adorn approximately 10,700 square feet across the pedestrian spaces of Shared Streets and an additional 1,250 square feet adjacent to the Jay Street busway.

“Downtown Brooklyn’s Shared Street network is a cornerstone of the Public Realm Action Plan,” said Regina Myer, President of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “With vibrant new artwork adorning the streetscape we are welcoming pedestrians and making Downtown Brooklyn a true people-first neighborhood. We are grateful for our partners at NYC DOT for working with us to improve our streets and look forward to BOICUT transforming the asphalt into stunning art for the public to enjoy.”

“Public art enlivens our communities, and the NYC DOT Art Program partners with local organizations to bring murals, sculptures, and other art installations to NYC DOT properties across the city,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We appreciate the commitment of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership to activate these Shared Streets to be more beautiful for the third year in a row. BOICUT created a wonderful Asphalt Art Activation working with NYC DOT in the Bronx in 2022, and we look forward to the vibrant additions he will bring to this project.”

These improvements are part of DBP’s Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan, created in partnership with design firms Bjarke Ingels Group and WXY architecture + urban design. The plan puts forth a series of transformative measures that prioritize people and the environment and will take Downtown Brooklyn from a traditional central business district to a citywide leader in designing a people-centric downtown. Expansion of Downtown Brooklyn’s Shared Street network is one of the plan’s key recommendations.

DBP issued an RFP in March seeking designs for asphalt art murals that would enliven the neighborhood and increase pedestrian safety by visually delineating pedestrian spaces from roadways. Following review of the applicants, DBP selected celebrated artist BOICUT. The title, 1FLUSS in German can be interpreted as “one river,” reflecting how the artwork flows through different streets. It also translates to “flow,” symbolizing the flow of pedestrians and traffic. “1Fluss” pronounced “Einfluss” also means “influence.” The artist’s design refers to some of the globalized American pop culture that influenced his upbringing. With this project, BOICUT hopes to infuse that initial influence with a hint of Austrian culture into Downtown Brooklyn’s streets.

“My design references some of the globalized American pop culture that influenced my upbringing,” said artist, BOICUT. “With this project, I hope to infuse those early impressions with a hint of Austrian culture into Downtown Brooklyn’s streets, brightening up residents’ daily lives and creating a unifying theme to the core streets of the neighborhood.”

Also known as a “pedestrian-priority” streets, Shared Streets are designed to slow travel speeds where pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized, and motorists are treated as guests. On Shared Streets, necessary vehicular access is maintained for loading, carting, parking, and other services, and slow vehicular speeds are preserved through traffic calming measures, signage, street markings, and the addition of public space amenities in expanded pedestrian spaces. The

Shared Street model was launched in Downtown Brooklyn on Pearl and Willoughby Streets in 2019 and is being expanded across blocks in the core of Downtown Brooklyn.