Kirsten Kay Thoen, Undulating Wave Wall, 2023, powder-coated steel, glass and C-prints on metallic paper, Francis Lewis HS Annex, Queens

Undulating Wave Wall is a site-specific artwork created by Kirsten Kay Thoen for the multipurpose room in the new Francis Lewis High School annex. The installation features nine photographs set in faceted steel modules arranged in three clusters. Thoen specifically chose to photograph nearby sites including Rockway Beach and the Queens Botanical Garden to create a unique connection between the artwork, the school, and its environs. The centerpiece features a freeze frame of a breaking wave with images of wet grass at the base. Two smaller wing-like modules flank the center cluster. These feature pollinator plants and flowers in a dreamlike world saturated in jewel tones.  

Thoen used a special color reversal film that flips greens to purples, blues to greens, and so on, creating a mystical, otherworldly effect. This approach offers viewers a fresh perspective on familiar surroundings. Positioned alongside the green roof and culinary space, the artwork highlights the interconnectedness of science and creativity. It illustrates how imagination enhances our understanding of the natural world, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary learning in education.