Awesome ‘Global Rainbow’ over NYC honors Sandy victims

November 28, 2012 Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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A monumental display of laser beams shooting across the sky over the city amazed those who happened to look up last night.

The outdoor laser installation – cutting through the clouds from Manhattan’s lower west side to the Rockaways – was created by artist Yvette Mattern and will be on view through Thursday night, November 29, from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

The project, called “Global Rainbow, After the Storm” is meant to encourage donations to Waves for Water and New York Foundation for the Arts, providing support to Sandy victims.

Brooklynites and others to the south of the seven beams were treated to the blue and green hues of the spectrum, which originated atop the Standard Hotel.

“I hope that seeing this beacon in the night sky will provide people with a sense of peace and security in this time of crisis and that it will unify us with its presence so we remember that we are all in this together, regardless of divisions of class, race, religion and culture,” Mattern told Art Daily.

Despite its 35-mile range, the lasers use a minimal amount of power, approximately 24 amps — the equivalent of two hairdryers.

The work was not originally created with Sandy in mind. Global Rainbow has been presented throughout Europe and launched the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad in England and Northern Ireland, “to rave reviews and massive audiences,” according to its sponsors, the Art Production Fund and The Standard.