+ POOL Light, 2019; LED lights; 50 x 50 feet/15.24 x 15.24 meters

A project from the team behind the + POOL which is working to filter and clean the water in New York’s East River so that it will be safe for swimming, displayed the water quality in NYC’s river in real-time. A 50 x 50-foot plus-shaped floating LED light sculpture named + POOL light was installed in NYC's Seaport District. It changed color based on the condition of the water in which it floated. The designers chose the plus sign, also used in the + POOL project, as it is a symbol of positivity, indicating the positive steps that have been taken to improve water quality since the clean water act of 1972. The LED sculpture would glow blue when pathogen levels were safe for swimming. It would glow pink when levels reached unsafe swimming levels. The sculpture’s lights also became animated, changing direction based on the flow of the current. The light's brightness, frequency, and sharpness varied according to the oxygen, turbidity, and pH in the water. The data was also sent to a public website.

The website of + POOL lists an interdisciplinary team of 45 members whose expertise ranges from water sciences, engineering, laws, and construction to fund raising and public relations. The list of backers and sponsors is awesome in its number and breadth. The collective is working toward installing a plus-shaped pool to be located in the East River that purifies the river’s polluted water while making the water available for safe recreation.

https://www.playlab.org/