The Washington Square Park Conservancy is thrilled to welcome To Reflect Everything, 2023, a monumental sculpture by artist Ryan Van Der Hout, now on display in Washington Square Park. This breathtaking work, presented as part of NYC Parks’ celebrated Art in the Parks program, will be available for all to experience just East of Garibaldi Plaza from January 9 to March 30, 2025. The Conservancy is honored to have served on the selection committee responsible for bringing this unique piece to the park.

Crafted from mirror-finished stainless steel, painted steel, and fiberglass, the 7-foot by 7-foot by 10-foot sculpture marries the dazzling aesthetic of a disco ball with the futuristic form of a space satellite. The result is an evocative piece that captures the spirit of reflection, transformation, and hope. “Washington Square Park is such an important site, both for art and artists but also queer history and culture,” says Van Der Hout. “During a scary time for queer folks everywhere, it seemed significant to have this object that is bringing a little bit of joy and the magic of the dance floor to a public space.”

While the piece was originally commissioned by the city of Toronto, it’s actually a native New Yorker, having been crafted by students at Parson School of Design during the artists’ Master’s program. The work itself is quite literally a reflection, a scale model of a real satellite launched in the 1980s that is still in orbit. 

The sculpture’s polished steel panels reflect and refract its surroundings, creating mesmerizing patterns that change with the light and the movement of visitors. These intricate reflections encourage viewers to reimagine their connection to the park, the city, and each other. Deliberate gaps in the panels add a layer of depth, symbolizing the hidden or forgotten aspects of our shared reality.

Beyond its visual appeal, To Reflect Everything is an invitation to explore the tension between the familiar and the unknown. Its suspended form speaks to the journey between departure and arrival, inspiring contemplation of what is visible and what lies just beyond our perception. “I think that public art can create space for a much needed pause in your day,” explains Van Der Hout. “As you approach the installation, you see yourself fragment and you almost disappear into the landscape. It can be very intense, you’re watching the world kind of split open and kaleidoscope around you as you fall into it. Each individual mirror becomes a framing device for the world, and people get to navigate that framing themselves.”

To Reflect Everything, 2023 will be on view on the east side of Washington Square Park from now until March 30th. For a special experience, mark your calendars for January 26 at 3:00pm, when the artist will host a special welcome, featuring a performance by Gino Aro, to celebrate this remarkable installation.

For more about NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program, visit NYC Parks Art in the Parks.