Over the past year, a bright red structure has snaked its way down the alleyway between JoJo’s and Vintage MC. Happy Stripe – with its curving lines, soaring heights and vivid color palette, has certainly made a statement on Patrick Street – bringing the alleyway to life and piquing the curiosity of those who wander by.
Designed by artist Kiki Goti of SomePeople studio, Happy Stripe is a playful linear structure that aims to intrigue pedestrians and encourage them to pass through it. In addition to its strong visual presence, it also offers people the chance to interact with the structure through an augmented reality app that lets viewers challenge one another from their phones, tossing virtual balls into the nylon ropes that hang from the top of Happy Stripe’s steel frame.
Happy Stripe is one of two projects installed through the Partnership’s unchARTed initiative – a project that increases connectivity between some of Downtown Frederick’s forgotten “between” spaces by activating alleyways with temporary public art installations.
Happy Stripe was installed in November 2020 and will be removed in mid-November 2021.