From Sea to Shining Sea

By Tom Fruin

Light. Color. Architecture. Experience it all at the two newest installations on Pier 17, two colorful plexiglass and steel houses by Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin. These houses are a part of the ICON series, a collection of public art works designed to make viewers reimagine the buildings and structures around them in a new way.

Share on Social: Tag @theseaport and @tomfruin in your photos of the installations on social media for a chance to be shared using the hashtag #SeaportArts.

About the Houses

Kolonihavehus, located at the entrance of Pier 17, is Fruin’s first work in the ICON series and has previously been displayed on the Brooklyn waterfront.

Hi 5 Taxi Cab, located on the Heineken Riverdeck, is a new creation in celebration of the tenth anniversary of Fruin’s most recognized work, Watertower. In addition to the two structures, there is also a viewfinder on the Heineken Riverdeck next to Hi 5 Taxi Cab that allows you to view Fruin’s work currently on display in Brooklyn.

About the ICON Series

The ICON series features everyday structures like houses, water towers, windmills, and more. The artworks are typically made using found plexiglass and reclaimed steel, and can be found around the world from Detroit to Buenos Aires. The series began in 2010 with the creation of Kolonihavehus and was shortly followed byWatertower, still located in Brooklyn.

About Tom Fruin

Known for his large scale installations, Tom Fruin most commonly uses steel and highly colored plexiglass to create monumental sculptures referencing local building structures. Fruin describes his drive to make art that is publicly accessible, as well as sustainable by working with reclaimed materials and alternative energy. Fruin’s largest installation to date, the Watertower series, is installed on multiple rooftops across New York City and around the country. Other large scale work has been exhibited in public plazas in Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen and throughout the United States.

More From the ICON Series

Photos 1, 6, & 7 by Matthew Pugliese
Photos 2 & 3 by Andreas Steen
Photos 4 & 5 by Robert Banat
Photo 8 by Guerin Blask