At the heart of Quito, Ecuador, Estudio Felipe Escudero summons 1.6 kilometers of bright orange. Spanning 10,000 square meters, the massive land art installation brings new life to the city center through a marriage of art, architecture and urban space. In a sweeping wave of color, CROMA aims to reconnect the community in Quito’s public spaces.
In a stunning splash of over 5,000 liters of paint, the installation brings together the efforts of Estudio Felipe Escudero, local architects, planners and the Municipality of Quito. The path stretches between the Basílica del Voto Nacional and the Palacio de Cristal Itchimbia, snaking through a myriad of diverse districts and iconic landmarks. Up historic stairways and down cobblestone streets, the color imbues the city with a sense of joy and vitality.
The vibrant orange hue recalls Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s infamous land installation in Central Park. Akin to The Gates, CROMA grounds itself in the social role of art, probing visitors to reflect on their immediate urban environment. In hopes of illuminating the city’s overlooked or lesser-known spaces, Escudero’s studio revives a sense of pride and belonging in Quito’s cultural heritage.
CROMA can be viewed in the city center of Quito, Ecuador for a limited time, or at least until the rain washes it away.
