Public Displays of Affection for Urban Life

For 13 years now, New York’s Times Square has held an annual art competition meant to represent love in the iconic location — just in time for Valentine’s Day. Tourists would get to see the winning installation on their way to see a Broadway show, check out the billboards or visit the M&M’s store, but, of course, this year will be different.

There are far fewer tourists this February, and crowds like the one Times Square usually draws are definitely undesirable as coronavirus continues its spread. This year’s winning artwork, Love Letters, is a plywood structure resembling two interlocking hearts and goes on display Feb. 10, just north of 46th Street. It was designed with multiple spaces so that members of the public can interact with each other while maintaining a safe distance, and it’s meant to touch on broader themes like interdependence, collective resilience and inclusivity. Visitors can also leave their own love letters in the display, and those who can’t attend in person have the option of submitting notes electronically.