Amalia Pica: Fair Play : Public Art Fund as a part of Between Tides at Rockaway Beach 67, NY

Public Art Fund is pleased to announce Between Tides, a dynamic outdoor exhibition bringing together local and international contemporary artists—Moko Fukuyama, Ilana Harris-Babou, Las Hermanas Iglesias, Carlos H. Matos, Amalia Pica, and SUPERFLEX—to present newly commissioned sculptural ping-pong tables on Rockaway Beach. From June 27 through September 13, 2026, beachgoers are invited to grab a paddle and engage with these works installed directly on the sand.

Responding to the richness of Rockaway Beach, one of New York City’s most beloved recreational areas, the artists in the exhibition reimagine the ping-pong table in inventive ways: as a sea legend, an interspecies habitat, a composite musical instrument, maritime flags, a beach scene cast in ceramic, and an ancient Mesoamerican ballgame. Visitors are encouraged to experience these works in both traditional and unexpected ways, expanding the boundaries of play, participation, and fun—and reinforcing the power of public art to inspire discovery and catalyze social connections. Between Tides reflects the cultural landscape of Queens, one of the nation’s most demographically diverse regions, and Rockaway Peninsula, which is home to numerous delicate ecosystems and a rich array of wildlife species.

Between Tides centers on community participation and builds on the layered history of table tennis. Originally a parlor game for the elite in Victorian England, it later became a global pastime, a tool for diplomacy between the United States and China, and eventually an Olympic sport. Due to its accessibility, the game cuts across class, race, age, and gender divisions. Between Tides continues a tradition of artists who, since the 1970s, have explored ping-pong as a platform for creative exchange, rule-breaking, and challenging expectations.

“Between Tides embodies the transformative role of public art, rethinking a familiar game in ways that foster shared encounters and celebrate the joyful energy of summer. Each work in this exhibition reveals a fresh perspective on play—whether by emphasizing its collective nature, or promoting it as a means of social interaction,” notes Public Art Fund Associate Curator of Public Practice, Gabriela López Dena. “Set against the backdrop of Rockaway Beach, these sculptures reinforce connection and the vibrancy of communal spaces, while acknowledging the ecological and cultural forces that shape them.”

Throughout the summer, as millions of visitors make their way to Rockaway Beach to surf, swim, and sunbathe, Public Art Fund will offer opportunities to enjoy Between Tides, including free ping-pong equipment available to borrow on the weekends, organized ping-pong events, and special programming. In partnership with local community organization RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity), groups of students will also connect with the exhibition through workshops and guided visits. Everyone is invited to “BYOP” (Bring Your Own Paddle – and balls) and visit the sculptures for an unconventional game of ping-pong any day of the week.

“People create their own forms of leisure on the beach. Some come to simply relax under an umbrella, while others play volleyball, dance, or body surf. The beach doesn’t dictate how you should spend your time; you and the people you’re with create your own rituals and experiences. I wanted to make something that could be used in multiple ways, inviting people to imagine new forms of play,” said artist Ilana Harris-Babou.

“New York City has a profound relationship with water in our day-to-day lives, and Rockaway Beach exemplifies that bond, serving as a comforting reminder that, in less than an hour, you can escape the chaos of the city and reconnect with the ocean,” says artist Moko Fukuyama.

Public Art Fund’s first exhibition at the site, Between Tides follows ongoing community engagement at Rockaway Beach begun in summer 2024 with Queens-based collective Mobile Print Power and with RISE.

Amalia Pica, Fair Play, 2026

Pica’s sculpture consists of eight tabletops displaying the International Code of Signals, a colorful system sailors use to communicate between ships and share information visually. Each module features a symbol from the language’s alphabet, together spelling out “FAIR PLAY.” Their staggered configuration invites friends and strangers to join several simultaneous matches, turning what is typically a two-person game into a multiplayer experience. This setup encourages up to ten people to participate and emphasizes the collective nature of play. Fabric flags suspended between two vertical posts read “COME PLAY,” extending an invitation to

socialize and have fun. These flags were made in collaboration with RISE, a Rockaway organization that inspires local residents to care for their environment and community.

Photo by Timothy Schenck, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY.