Rainbow City Roller Rink was an inflatable wonderland-turned-roller skating rink designed by acclaimed artist duo FriendsWithYou. Set inside 1001 Woodward Avenue and overlooking Campus Martius Park, the installation brought a colorful and whimsical experience to Downtown Detroit. The project was produced by Library Street Collective and supported by Bedrock Detroit and the Quicken Loans Community Fund.

Rainbow City Roller Rink presented a vibrant collection of weightless sculptures suspended from the ceiling of 1001 Woodward, hanging overhead as skaters traversed the rink’s striped floor, and encouraging activity and exploration. Each balloon-like companion was minimal in form, composed of simple geometry and towering high above. The largest figure in the group featured a rotating head and stood at over 30’ tall, reminiscent of carnivals or revolving signs off west coast highway roads. By dwarfing the audience, the totemic pieces triggered a sense of reverence, yet the softness and friendly features of the monoliths were welcoming and warm. Library Street Collective owner Anthony Curis was inspired by what the installation offered in terms of its interactivity, “The art of FriendsWithYou spreads a purity and positivity very rarely experienced outside of childhood, but is created for people of all ages. Their work has the power to take you out of the reality of the day to day and just be in the moment. We’re very excited to have presented such a seamless connection between art and activation in Downtown Detroit.”