Walking a snow-covered stretch of the Greenway for an hour in late December, I got to visit seven of nine Hatchlings* with increased appreciation at each site! Certainly now I want to see and revisit them all many times before they leave in late February. This quick post with notes and quotes aims to urge anyone who can do a winter walk in Boston to enjoy them too. For everyone else, the resources here offer intriguing information about their origin, presence, and potential as public art. *including two initially on the Esplanade

“Created by interdisciplinary design team Studio HHH, Hatchlings provide Boston’s residents and visitors with an experiential destination during the coldest months of the year. This creative activation was selected as the winning design from the Greenway Conservancy’s 2023 Request for Proposals for a winter lights installation. ” ( quote from Hatchlings, Public Art, The Greenway, )

“This project, first displayed in November of 2023, was the first creative collaboration between the Greenway Conservancy and the Esplanade Association. Now in its second year, the Greenway is proud to host all nine Hatchlings, which will be illuminated at night as well as during the daylight hours.”  ( quote from Hatchlings, Public Art, The Greenway)

“Hatchlings pays joyful homage to one of Boston’s architectural gems, the Hatch Shell on The Charles River Esplanade.” ( quote from Hatchlings, Public Art, The Greenway)

This structure inspired Studio HHH to pose a whimsical question: What if the Hatch Shell hatched a cluster of baby “shells” that wandered off down The Greenway like adventurous ducklings? ” ( quote from Hatchlings, Public Art, The Greenway )

“By intertwining two pieces of Boston’s iconic history, the Hatch Memorial Shell and the story Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, this installation is highly specific to Boston.” ( quote from Studio HHH, Hatchlings )

“Inspired by the intricate Art Deco architecture of the Hatch Shell pavilion and through the process of working to echo its arches and angles, our team discovered many layers of thoughtful geometric elegance.“ (quote from Studio HHH, Hatchlings )

“The Hatchlings Pavilions are effectively quarter sphere structures, each fabricated by welding bent rod into arched shapes.“( quote from Studio HHH, Hatchlings)

“Through its joyful homage to one of Boston’s architectural gems, Hatchlings draws on the city’s history of innovative design as a catalyst toward a sustainable future. ( quote from Studio HHH Hatchlings )

Shifting light patterns in the structure of each Hatchling interact gracefully with other light sources in and around the Greenway.

Hatchling echoes arcs and circles in Jeffrey Gibson’s mural in Dewey Square

KEY RESOURCES: ( for tour maps, helpful specifics, background, videos, and better photos than mine)

Hatchlings, Public Art, The Greenway: https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/hatchlings

Studio HHH, Hatchlings:  https://www.studiohhh.com/hatchlings-winter-lights-installation

Hatchlings, The Esplanade Association: https://esplanade.org/hatchlings/