There is a rich cultural history of hammocks within the arts, as a woven net or fabric cloth, they are simple in gesture, form and execution. Situating a hammock within a public park can elevate the social implication of that object. The Big Hammock is intended to serve the community as a simple lounge space as well as a sculptural expression. The Big Hammock created new ways to interact with and admire the urban and historical setting, complimenting the greenway as space of public leisure. The 8’ x 33’ wide hammock was located at Parcel 19 in the Fort Point Channel Parks area, on a self supporting steel frame and hung 36” high from the ground. The new suspended common ground where the individual’s weight, size and position were in concert with other bodies on the hammock. It was a social ground.

The Big Hammock was woven out of 100% recycled PET rope. The rope’s length is 2550 feet (warp) and 1728 feet (weft), with a total of 4278 feet–which makes it 5.5 times longer than the Boston Hancock Tower is tall.

We are reinstalling The Big Hammock AUGUST 2015! Check out our updates and blog to stay in the loop!

Photo: John Horner

Photo: John Horner

Photo: John Horner

Original hammock drawings

Original hammock drawings

Project Team:

• Hansy Better Barrazza
• Anthony J. Piermarini
• Andy Wise
• Ruth Bohn
• Michelle Mizioch
• Myla Tak
• Chelsea Plumb
• Carlos Villamil
• Jesen Tanadi
• Taijasa Jordan
• Allie Surdovel
• Antonia Better-Wirz
• Ann Woods
• Eun Joo Kim
• John Carli
• Kate Cho
• Stefan Di Leo
• Phillip Glenn
• Christine Tan