More at BIG's Website

BIG + Times Square Alliance + Flatcut + Local Projects and Zumtobel celebrate the Valentine’s Day  with an interactive heart installation at Times Square, New York utilizing the flow of people, air and touch to bring the heart to life.

“BIG♥NYC,” a 10-foot tall glowing heart sculpture consists of 400 transparent, LED lit, acrylic tubes donated generously by the Austrian lighting company Zumtobel. The transparent tubes refract the lights of Times Square, creating a cluster of lights around the heart. The hovering heart will appear to pulsate as its tubes sway in the wind. When people touch a heart-shaped sensor, the heart will glow brighter and beat faster as the energy from their hands is converted into more light.

“What better place for couples to celebrate love and public art than in the heart of Times Square - this year, we’re inviting couples from across America and New York to come to Times Square and publicly declare their love in front of the beautiful “BIG♥NYC” which will glow brighter on Valentine’s Day as a symbol of our month-long celebration of love.” Tim Tompkins, President, Times Square Alliance.

Over the last four years, the Times Square Alliance has hosted an annual public art sculpture to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This year’s 2012 Times Square Valentine is on display at Duffy Square from February 6 –29.   

“The heart reflects what Times Square is made of: people and light - the more people, the stronger the light,” Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Partner, BIG.

“Like a daisy chain of human contact, the more people who hold hands or make contact with others while touching the heart, the brighter and faster the heart will pulse. The “BIG♥ NYC” is an indicator of human energy in one of the most energized places on earth.” Daniel Kidd, Project Leader, BIG.