Heres the deal with that giant mesh cube in Cambridge

The installation “Sun Block” in Central Square, Cambridge, serves as a public art project aimed at providing shade and addressing urban heat islands. Created by architects Gabriel Cira and Matthew Okazaki, the piece features a mesh cube over concrete steps and is part of the Shade is Social Justice initiative. While many community members have given positive feedback, a recent Reddit post questioning the installation's artistic merit has sparked significant discussion, accumulating nearly 200 comments. Critics argue that the concrete steps are uncomfortable and do not foster social interaction, with some mistaking the installation for a construction site. Cira emphasizes the importance of community engagement in discussing aesthetic expectations of public art.

The city hopes to raise awareness about the need for shade in urban environments, as highlighted by Cambridge Arts and Cultural Planning Director Claudia Zarazua. The installation is set to be dismantled in September unless additional funding is secured for its continuation. This initiative reflects broader efforts to create meaningful public spaces in gentrified urban areas.