When:
Friday, Nov 17, 2023 5:00p -
Sunday, Feb 25, 2024 10:00p
Where:
https://esplanade.org/hatchlings
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
EventScheduled
OfflineEventAttendanceMode
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Outside, Photoworthy, Seasonal
Event website:
https://esplanade.org/hatchlings
Join us on the Charles River Esplanade this winter to experience the wonder of Hatchlings, a 100% solar-powered winter lights display presented by the Esplanade Association, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Studio HHH, in partnership with DCR.
The multidisciplinary design team at Studio HHH imagines, what if… the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on The Esplanade hatched baby “shells”, which roamed through the city like the adventurous hatchlings of Boston’s favorite children’s book, Make Way for Ducklings (Robert McCloskey, 1941)?
The Esplanade’s Hatchlings are placed at two key sites to invite reflection on the past, present, and future of performing arts spaces in the landmarked riverfront park:
- A miniature Hatch Shell standing approximately 4 ½’ tall in the area of the former Lee Memorial Pool, next to the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields, presents a glimpse of the future for the site as the Esplanade Association advances its project to build, program and maintain the Charlesbank Landing visitors center, a 2-acre site improvement which will bring, among other year-round amenities, a new performing arts venue to the Esplanade.
- The second miniature Hatch Shell, standing approximately 8’ tall, will face the original Hatch Shell and will serve as a dynamic space for family-friendly performances from a diverse range of talented local artists throughout the activation period.
Studio HHH’s commitment to maintaining consistent solar energy throughout the darkest months of the year reflects their dedication to advancing sustainability in the arts, and the Esplanade Association is proud to feature an arts activation in keeping with the principles of our Climate Action Statement. Learn more about the Esplanade Association’s Climate Action Statement, and forthcoming Climate Action Plan.
Join us on the Esplanade and along the Rose Kennedy Greenway to experience these nine miniature Hatch Shells, each lit up with color-changing lights!
When: Hatchlings are on view every evening from dusk until 10:00pm, from November 17th, 2023 to February 25th, 2024.
Where & How to Enjoy: The Esplanade will feature two of the nine Hatchlings. See our map link here for more details.
- Enjoy the riverfront scenery at our miniature Hatch Shell installation near the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields. This Hatchling is nearest to the Blossom Street Footbridge entrance to the Esplanade. Four handicap parking spots are available at this location. There is an at-grade, ADA-compliant park entrance at Charles River Dam Road, across from the Science Park / West End MBTA station. The Science Park / West End MBTA station is approximately ¼ mile from the installation location.
- Stand inside our ¼ replica of the original Hatch Shell, located between the Hatch Shell and the Esplanade Playspace playground. This Hatchling is visible from the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge entrance to the Esplanade. There is no parking available at this location. There is an ADA-compliant park entrance at the Fanny Appleton Footbridge, across from the Charles / MGH MBTA station. The Charles / MGH MBTA station is approximately ½ mile from the installation location.
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Photo Credit: Aram Boghosian