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The Lunar New Year is upon us, which means you'll be seeing snakes all over the city soon. But if you're feeling ophidiophobic (that's the phobia of snakes), don't worry: In the Chinese zodiac, snakes signify all good things, including wisdom and transformation.
Perhaps the most auspicious and visible reminder of this season will be the massive, 150-foot interactive snake sculpture that will live at The Oculus from January 29 through February 12.
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The sculpture, called Infinite Harmony, will undulate between four and seven feet high as it snakes its way through the main concourse at the Oculus, revealing itself as you walk along it. The sculpture is built from two identical parts, symbolizing the harmonious concepts of yin and yang.
The sculpture was conceptualized by LUCKYRICE founder Danielle Chang in collaboration with artist Warren King and architects Richard Gluckman and Andrew Weigand. The dynamic sculpture was built from aluminium panels that also pay homage to Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish architect who designed The Oculus.
"The sculpture is a true collaboration—blending Danielle’s vision, Warren’s sculptural style, and Andrew’s strategy for fabrication," Gluckman Tang Architects’ Richard Gluckman said in a press release. "The design responds to the context of the Oculus and the symbolism of the celebration, reinterpreting the snake into the infinite flow of a Mobius strip—an object symbolizing harmony and growth while framing dynamic spaces that invite reflection and celebrate renewal."
Visitors will be able to interact with the sculpture when they scan a QR code, which will allow them to control the movements of an animated overlay of a snake.
If you're already going to be downtown to check out the sculpture, definitely make your way to Chinatown, too: several businesses in the area are giving out red envelopes for anyone who spends $35 or more at participating businesses. To see what else there is to do in the area for the holiday, be sure to check out our full Lunar New Year list.