Publicly Pink
James Turrell, Raemar Pink White, 1969
Early in the formation of All Together, we decided to use pink in our branding. It felt like a statement—a pushback on an industry that is largely male-dominated, but also an unapologetic embrace of joy. For far too long, pink has been marginalized as only appropriate for the ultra-femme…or on Valentine’s Day. This colorful injustice is long overdue for critique (even if that critique comes on our favorite Hallmark holiday).
It is only in recent history that pink was associated with feminity—until World War II, light pink colors were used for boys more than girls. For years, it has been used in prisons as a way to evoke calm, though with mixed results. Pink is a powerful color, both bright and high in saturation. Its vibrancy in public spaces feels joyfully unexpected.
Below are some of our favorite examples to prove that pink is for everyone.
Rua Nova do Carbalho, known locally as Rua Cor-de-Rosa ("Pink Street")
Rua Nova do Carbalho | Lisbon, Portugal
In 2011, Lisbon’s former Red Light district underwent a makeover. The former home of seedy bars and brothels was turned over to a new generation of cafes, restaurants, and nightlife. One way the City facilitated this facelift was by painting the street bright bubblegum pink, as well as leveling the street to the sidewalk to create one contiguous public realm. This district is now a hot spot for residents and tourists alike, not to mention an Instagram destination.
Shibazakura Takinoue Park | Takinoue, Japan
Far from the Cherry Blossom Festivals that draw crowds to Tokyo and Kyoto, Shibazakura Takinoue Park in Takinoue is famous for its pink moss, which blooms from May-June. This perennial plant (a kind of phlox) was planted on the hillside in the 1950s. As the beautiful moss started to cover the field, the Takinoue people continued to plan more every year to create the 25-acre park. The blanket of pink put this small town on the map, with local shops selling pink souvenirs and restaurants serving pink soft serve.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Surrounded Islands | Miami, USA
In 1983, world-famous artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, known for their large-scale site-specific environmental installations, surrounded 11 islands in the bay off of Miami with 6.5 million square feet of pink fabric. This installation was a formidable logistical lift, including extensive engineering to avoid environmental damage. Then-Governor Bob Graham agreed to rent the submerged lands around the islands for $12,827.08, which was entirely financed by the artists. In addition to being visually stunning, the installation speaks to the strength of determination, willpower, and vision.