Mookntaka | Friends of the Canal

The artist duo's inflatable sculptures bring a bit of whimsy to Gowanus

Mookntaka’s Karyn Lao and Mark Zlotsky at the unveiling of “Friends of the Canal.” Their inflatable sculpture Loofa is on view at 187 Nevins Street on the Wyckoff Gardens campus.

Say hello to Loofa, Pebbles, and Shelby! Friends of the Canal – a multi-site installation of inflatable, illuminated sculptures – debuted last night in Gowanus. Created by the Brooklyn-based artist duo Mookntaka as part of Van Alen Institute’s Common Build Initiative, the colorful characters greet passersby and bring a sense of whimsy to the neighborhood.

The artists behind Mookntaka (MOO-kin-tah-kah), Karyn Lao and Mark Zlotsky, create playful, fanciful works that delight audiences of all ages. Using materials associated with arts-and-crafts, simple shapes, and bold colors, they create interactive works that bring people together through curiosity and play.

Their latest work, a trio of “cheerful mutants,” was inspired by wildlife found in and around the Gowanus Canal. Installed at three outdoor locations around Gowanus, the “Friends” will offer the community moments of joy and fun. Spotting Loofa, Pebbles, and Shelby will certainly be a pleasant surprise for unsuspecting neighbors!

Mookntaka’s Loofa can be found at 187 Nevins Street on the Wyckoff Gardens campus.

Friends of the Canal was unveiled on Tuesday evening with a walking tour of the three locations (187 Nevins Street, Union & 3rd Avenue, President & 3rd Avenue) and a lighting/inflating ceremony of the artworks, followed by a reception at Van Alen.

In a speech that kicked off the event, Zlotsky explained that he and Lao responded to an open call last summer looking for emerging artists to create community-driven public works in Gowanus. “It just checked a lot of boxes for us,” he said. “We’re based in Gowanus. We’re very familiar with this neighborhood. It’s such an incredible opportunity to get to know new people, get to know people better, and get to collaborate with artists that we’ve always wanted to collaborate with.” Some of the collaborators include TYLin, who helped with the engineering of the sculptures, Sighte Studio who worked on the lighting, and Bureau Happold who oversaw the electrical components. “It’s kind of amazing because so many people have their own relationship with this artwork, and we’re very thankful to be able to share this experience and to have other people have fun doing it when we’re doing it.”

Mookntaka’s Mark Zlotsky poses with Pebbles on the northwest corner of Union Street & Third Avenue, Gowanus

Mookntaka’s inflatable and illuminated sculpture Pebbles on Union & 3rd Avenue in Gowanus.

Mookntaka’s fabric works are typically foldable and mobile. “If you've seen our work, you know we bring them outside for just like a day of play, and then we pack them up and scurry away,” Lao said. For the “Friends,” colorful concrete bases were fabricated to keep their dyed polyester sculptures secure and grounded.

“I hope our pieces bring a little bit of joy to people’s daily routes in Gowanus,” Lao added. “We’re really excited. This is just the beginning. We have so many more things that we have planned for the rest of the year with our “Friends” [that will] bring people together.”

Mookntaka’s inflatable and illuminated sculpture Shelby outside Café Mars at President Street & 3rd Avenue, Gowanus.

Mookntaka’s Karyn Lao and Mark Zlotsky pose with Shelby.

Click here to see a video of Shelby being inflated. Be sure to keep a look out for “Friends of the Canal” while walking around Gowanus.

*A neighborhood scavenger hunt was organized to coincide with Friends of the Canal. Maps can be picked up at Van Alen Institute (303 Bond Street) and From Here to Sunday (567 Union Street). Prizes from participating local businesses will be awarded to those who complete the hunt. Learn more at vanalen.org.