This summer, two Howard University architecture grads named Toluwalase Rufai and Khai Grubbs, who form the art collective known as Toki, are creating string installations across Washington. First, there was an outdoor web of yarn at Fort Totten Park. Now they’ve moved on to an abandoned building at 809 Channing Pl., Northeast, in Edgewood, where they’ve tied magenta, orange, light pink, and cyan string around columns, creating an Instagram-worthy piece that’s meant to make visitors think about sound and the perception of public space. Dubbed “Synth Series 002,” the piece was inspired by music, Rufai and Grubbs say.
“These creations allow us to represent the sounds of music as physical worlds,” the duo writes in an email. They don’t get too fussy about meaning though: “Ultimately, we just aim to create dope experiences.”
The installation will be on display for two more weeks and is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. Follow the pair on Instagram @khaitect and @tolu_r for updates.
