From Our Partners
Temporary Public Art Installation by R & R STUDIOS
Late March to November 2022
I
I Love You, the temporary art installation on Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront from late March to November 2022, was a luminous declaration of affection from the city to the public, creating a photo-ready postcard of Alexandria which represented the city’s welcoming spirit and a message of hope through the COVID-19 pandemic. Created by award-winning and globally recognized R & R STUDIOS, I Love You was a plaza with the words “I Love You” scripted in rose-hued metal and lighted neon standing 15 feet high above a pink ground mural emulating a giant “magic carpet.” This “social sculpture” utilized three words at once universal and utterly personal to establish a place of encounter, friendship and camaraderie on the river. Miami-based R & R STUDIOS is helmed by husband-and-wife, Argentinian-born American architects Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt. I Love You was the fourth installation of the City of Alexandria’s annual temporary public art series, “Site See: New Views in Old Town.”
Artist Interview
The artists behind R & R STUDIOS, Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt, share their approach and inspiration for I Love You.
Social Sculpture Conceptualization
The ambition for our project at Waterfront Park is threefold: to create a social sculpture that brings emotion into the public realm and frames memories; to celebrate the pleasure of meeting and learning from one another; and to find common ground in our diversity as we enjoy everything Alexandria’s waterfront has to offer.
Creative Vision
We find inspiration in what we call the “theater” of everyday life. We love the unexpected encounters that street life and open-air public spaces have to offer. Familiar places have a poetic dimension that we try to capture and transform into surprising and memorable events through our art.
Alexandria Inspiration
Alexandria is one of the most beautiful and open cities in America. Through all our work, we strive to help change the world one project at a time. This project will show the important role that artwork plays in enhancing a destination by bringing people together and highlighting their romance with Alexandria.
Past Installations
Learn more about the 2019, 2020 and 2021 installations in the Site See: New Views in Old Town annual temporary public art series.
