Revolving Voices: Interactive Octagonal Sculptures Transform Astoria Houses Waterfront
A new permanent public art installation, titled Revolving Voices, has been unveiled at Astoria Houses, a public housing site in Queens, NYC. Designed by The Urban Conga in collaboration with poet Tamra Cosby, the artwork consists of four octagonal megaphones positioned along the Astoria waterfront. These structures can rotate to face either inward or outward, functioning as gathering spaces and portals. The outer surfaces illustrate community narratives, while the interiors feature poetry and messages from Cosby and local residents. Developed through the From Roots to Arts initiative, the installation fosters diverse activities. Ryan Swanson highlighted its community connections, and NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, along with Executive Director Alex Zablocki, praised its representation of resident experiences.
Key facts
- Revolving Voices is a permanent public artwork at Astoria Houses in Queens, New York.
- The installation was created by design studio The Urban Conga and poet Tamra Cosby.
- It consists of four rotating octagonal structures shaped like megaphones.
- The structures are arranged along a performance space and decrease in size.
- Perforated metal exteriors depict community people and stories; interiors feature etched poetry and memories.
- The project was part of From Roots to Arts: Celebrating NYCHA’s Cultural Heritage, an artist-in-residence program by the Public Housing Community Fund and NYCHA.
- The artwork supports sitting, climbing, performance, and community events.
- It is located at Hallet’s Cove, overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
Entities
Artists
- The Urban Conga
- Tamra Cosby
- Ryan Swanson
- Lisa Bova-Hiatt
- Alex Zablocki
- Christina Vergopoulou
Institutions
- The Urban Conga
- Public Housing Community Fund
- NYCHA
- Astoria Houses
- designboom
Locations
- Queens
- United States
- New York City
- Astoria
- Hallet’s Cove
- Manhattan