Where Play Meets Urban Life: In The Works, A New Exhibit Inspired by NYC Construction Sites

Scaffolding, a defining feature of New York City’s constantly changing skyline, often fades into the background for busy adults. Yet for children, these towering structures spark endless curiosity and imagination. What if they could climb, explore, and play within these iconic frameworks? Beginning Saturday, November 23, 2024, families can experience this firsthand at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum [BCM] with the debut of In the Works.

This innovative interactive exhibition reimagines ordinary construction scaffolding as a vibrant, two-story playground for children. Open through May 11, 2025, it invites kids aged two and up to climb, slide, and explore in a colorful, safe, and dynamic environment designed to spark imagination and adventure.

Event: Lightscape

• Date: November 22, 2024, through May 11th, 2025
• Location: 145 Brooklyn Avenue—Crown Heights
• Website: Brooklyn Children’s Museum
• Highlight: Experience NYC’s iconic scaffolding reimagined as a vibrant playground at Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s In the Works!

What Is ‘In the Works’?

In The Works

Created by NYC-based artists Yeju Choi and Chat Travieso, collectively known as Yeju & Chat, In the Works transforms urban construction sites into imaginative spaces for creativity and play. This intricately designed installation merges familiar scaffolding with other construction materials. The exhibit offers a hands-on environment that sparks physical activity, creative thinking, and a deeper connection to the city’s urban landscape.

Children can explore hidden nooks, navigate unique structures, and let their imaginations run wild in a space that is both familiar and fantastical. Beyond a simple play area, In the Works nurtures gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and collaborative interactions—key building blocks for young learners.

“This exhibit turns the everyday scenes of NYC construction into an opportunity for discovery and connection,” said Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “It’s a reminder that our city is a constant work in progress, and so are we. Through this space, children and families can explore their own roles in shaping their environments.”

In The Works: Interactive Opening Day Festivities

The exhibit’s launch on November 23 promises an engaging experience for families. Yeju & Chat will be on-site to discuss their creative process and lead a special scavenger hunt, helping children identify different materials used in the installation. This hands-on introduction offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the artists’ vision while encouraging kids to approach their everyday surroundings with curiosity and wonder.

“We want children to see beauty and potential in the ordinary,” the artists shared. “Through play and exploration, we hope to inspire them to reimagine the world around them.”

In The Works: A Living, Evolving Installation

Unlike static museum exhibits, In the Works is a living, evolving experience designed to grow and change over time. Families visiting the museum are invited to play an active role in shaping its development, making it a truly collaborative endeavor.

• December 21 & 22, 2024: Families can participate in a creative poster-making workshop, adding personal touches to the installation and leaving their mark.
• Spring 2025: Engage in hands-on workshops featuring structural building activities and imaginative brainstorming sessions about repurposing scaffolding to benefit communities.

This ever-changing exhibit reflects the dynamic spirit of New York City itself, where progress and creativity are always in motion.

Why Scaffolding? A Unique Perspective on NYC Life

For Yeju & Chat, scaffolding symbolizes both the city’s ever-evolving nature and the untapped potential within its everyday structures.

“Scaffolding isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of NYC’s heartbeat,” they shared.

With In the Works, the artists aim to shift perceptions of these often-overlooked frameworks, inviting young visitors to view them not as obstacles or eyesores but as sources of creativity and possibility. The exhibit’s design highlights construction as a process of transformation and renewal—concepts that are deeply woven into the fabric of New York City’s identity.

Plan Your Visit

Exhibition Dates:

Saturday, November 23, 2024 – Sunday, May 11, 2025

Museum Hours:

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission:

• General Admission: $15
• Grandparents: $14
• Children under 1 year: Free
• Reserve your tickets and session times online at www.brooklynkids.org/tickets.

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About Yeju & Chat: Pioneers in Public Art

With expertise spanning architecture, urban design, and graphic arts, Yeju Choi and Chat Travieso bring a rich, multidisciplinary perspective to their work. Since 2013, their collaborative projects have centered on creating socially engaged, community-focused art that transforms everyday public spaces into places of connection and creativity.

Their talent for reimagining the ordinary is on full display in In the Works, a testament to their dedication to fostering relationships and rethinking urban environments. Recognized as 2019 NYSCA/NYFA Fellows in Architecture/Environmental Structures/Design, Yeju & Chat continue to push the boundaries of public art with their visionary approach.

About Brooklyn Children’s Museum: A Hub of Discovery

Established in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum [BCM] holds the distinction of being the world’s first museum dedicated to children. Nestled in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, it has become a cornerstone of family-focused education and cultural exploration, welcoming over 300,000 visitors annually.

With exhibits like In the Works, BCM furthers its mission to spark curiosity, celebrate diversity, and inspire joyful learning. Its programs, which span visual arts, music, natural sciences, and global cultures, provide enriching experiences for children and families of all backgrounds.

Why This Exhibit Matters

In the Works

In the Works is more than just a play space. It is an invitation to view New York City through a fresh lens. By transforming a familiar yet often overlooked aspect of the city’s landscape, the exhibit inspires children and families to see the urban environment as a canvas for creativity and possibility.

As Atiba T. Edwards highlights, the installation encourages young New Yorkers to embrace the city’s ever-evolving nature, reminding them that change is not only inevitable but also an opportunity for growth, imagination, and collaboration.

Do not Miss Out on This One-of-a-Kind Experience

A Must-Visit Exhibit: In The Works

In the Works offers an exciting opportunity for families to engage with the city in a completely new way, blending fun, creativity, and urban exploration into one unforgettable experience. Whether you are a local or visiting from afar, this exhibit is a celebration of New York City’s dynamic spirit.

Do not miss out—mark your calendars for November 23 and get ready to climb, slide, and unleash your imagination in one of the city’s most unique and interactive play spaces. Visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and let In the Works transform the way you see the city.