Dynamic show celebrates Wave Hill's 50th anniversary

On a recent night at Wave Hill, a new multimedia art installation celebrating the grounds’ 50th anniversary captivated Matthew Vanderwerff, 4.

He got onto his hands and knees to peer at a screen inside one of three large, origami-like Plexiglas sculptures arranged around an artificial pond. Matthew took in digital animation of wildlife flitting across bright patterned backgrounds while his grandmother stood by.

“The red fish has so many cool-colored scales!” he exclaimed with glee.

“My goodness, you’re right,” Pat Vanderwerff replied.

Brooklyn-based artist Chris Doyle designed the sculptures in “The Lightening: A Project for Wave Hill’s Aquatic Center” to come to life at dusk. As Matthew and his grandmother circled the perimeter of the pond, a nearly full moon accented the colorful creations.

“The moon came!” Matthew exclaimed while standing at the base of the pond.

“It’s beautiful,” chimed in Elizabeth Bradley, a member of Wave Hill’s educational staff. “That’s another nightlight.”

Ms. Vanderwerff said she has regularly visited Wave Hill for about 40 years.

“I brought my daughter here when she was weeks old,” she said while speakers in the art installation played a mellow ambient soundtrack. “She’s now a mom of two boys, and we’re introducing them to Wave Hill.”

Wave Hill’s Claudia Bonn, who is stepping down as president and executive director this summer, explained that the installation celebrates her institution’s missions of protecting the environment and promoting art.

“It’s really the coming together for me of all of the good parts of Wave Hill, which is the art and the horticulture and how they’re working seamlessly together,” she said.