Rockaway Beach Transforms with Artful Ping-Pong Tables

Rockaway Beach has unveiled "Between Tides," an exhibition featuring six artist-designed Ping-Pong tables installed on the sand. This unique public art installation, which kicked off recently, offers free play for beachgoers until September 13. Paddles and balls are available for borrowing on weekends, encouraging widespread participation. The exhibition celebrates table tennis's diverse history while showcasing imaginative table designs by contemporary artists. Each table offers a distinct interpretation, blending artistic vision with interactive play. For instance, Moko Fukuyama's "Old School" table incorporates a salvaged boat, while SUPERFLEX's "Fish Ping-Pong" features a design meant to attract marine life. Amalia Pica's "Fair Play" connects four tables in a zigzag formation, fostering collective play. Las Hermanas Iglesias' "DiMeLo" transforms a table into a musical instrument, and Carlos H. Matos' "Tlachco" merges table tennis with ancient Mesoamerican ballgame court designs. Ilana Harris-Babou's "for those of us who live at the shoreline" adds an obstacle course to its surface, aiming to equalize the playing field for all.