Our Story
The Mission
We strive to positively impact under-utilized public spaces with simple red swings.
The Story
The Red Swing Project started in February 2007 as an urban intervention within the city of Austin, Texas. Our swings are made of red painted wood and hung using retired rock climbing rope. Over the years, we have hung over 200 red swings in USA, India, Thailand, Brasil, Taiwan, South Korea, France, Spain, Portugal, Haiti, Poland, Italy, Germany and Australia.
The red swing remains the constant while the environmental backdrops and cultural contexts change from place to place.
We pay particular attention to public response to this familiar object set in an unfamiliar place.
Some questions we ask ourselves:
- Why does public reaction differ from place to place?
- What different roles can swings play for each individual?
- How might a swing in India look different from a swing New Orleans?
- Why would someone cut down a simple red swing?
- What happens to a swing when it is cut down? Where does it go?
The Red Swing Project now offers a ‘how-to’ instructional video and manual, enabling anyone to join the project and improve their surroundings.
Look for more swings in a city near you.
PROJECT TIMELINE:
2007
- Red Swing Project founded with the hanging on 17 red swings in Austin, TX
- 15 red swings hung in New Orleans as part of the Design Build Challenge response to Hurricane Katrina (Honorable Mention)
2008
- Red swing hung at Menil Collection in Houston, TX. Menil recognizes and sanctions the swing.
- Red swing project goes international with 7 swings hung throughout India.
2009
- European expansion – 15 swings hung on a bike tour from Paris to Barcelona, via Portugal
2012
- Art Alliance Austin commissions Red Swing Project to legitimately hang swings throughout downtown Austin.
- Red Swing Project included at Venice Biennale as part of the US Pavilion’s exhibit, Spontaneous Interventions.
2013
- Red Swing Project included in FIT Nation exhibit at Center for Architecture and Design, New York.