A robotic arm beats a suspended drum. Handsewn pennants waving in the wind. These are just some of the many innovative artistic exhibitions that will be on display as part of the Boston Public Art Triennial from May 22 to October 31, 2025. 

Written by Rachael Dubinsky

The city’s first-of-its kind celebration of dynamic, free public art experiences, the Triennial asks visitors to consider what we share, how we listen, and what we build together. We are proud to announce that a quarter of the featured Triennial artists have an affiliation with Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), including Curator Tess Lukey, BFA ‘16. 

As part of the Triennial, Nicholas Galanin, an Alaska-based Tlingít and Unangax̂ artist, will have two artwork installations on display. One is a statue at Evans Way Park entitled, I think it goes like this (pick yourself up), and another is a commissioned solo exhibition at MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), the only museum partner to commission additional work by a Triennial Artist.

Nicholas’ Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land) is a kinetic sculpture and video installation, inviting viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of land, culture, and humanity. At the heart of the exhibition is a large-scale, suspended Tlingít box drum, an integral object in ceremonial traditions. The drum is activated by a robotic arm that beats in rhythm with a human heart, filling the darkened space with sound and vibration. Silent video projections of ocean waves envelop the gallery walls, evoking the land’s relationship to the sea.