Giant Pink Inflatables Invade Boston for Winteractive Art Exhibition
Who or what’s behind the pink people perched on rooftops, positioned between buildings, peering into windows, and hiding around Boston landmarks?
These giant pink inflatables are the work of Monsieur Rose or Mr. Pink, the creativity of Parisian artist Philippe Katerine. Katerine originally constructed the figures using PVC, blowers, and steel cables in 2023. They’re part of Boston’s annual Winteractive, a unique art walk program of the Downtown Boston Alliance that seeks to bring outdoor public art experiences to the city’s downtown.
Fifteen exhibits are planned for the 2025 edition of Winteractive, although only a few are identified by name: A Winter Messenger, Celestial Garden, Cycle, Living Lantern, Nature’s Glow, Nature’s Solace, Slap Shot, and Sonic Runway. Their collective name in French translates to “cute-ism.”
According to a report by WCVB-TV, the remaining inflatables will be unveiled before the exhibition’s start on Jan. 15. Winteractive will run through March 30.
In addition to the pink inflatables, another work features a replica of a 1962 Canadian satellite set so it appears to have crushed the hood of a sedan parked near Downtown Crossing.
Michael Nichols with the Downtown Boston Alliance said Winteractive is one of many ideas the organization is exploring to find “different ways of using our downtown to have fun.” In 2024, the Downtown Boston Alliance installed floating clown heads throughout the city as part of its Winteractive exhibition.
“It is the darkest, drabbest time of year in Boston. It’s gray … just cold and bitter,” he told WBZ-TV CBS Boston. “And pops of pink color, bubblegum pink dotting the downtown in now six different locations, are changing people’s day.”
The Downtown Boston Alliance offers a map on its website that marks the location of each piece of art.
