Created by Brooklyn-based artist duo Mark Zlotsky and Karyn Lao of Mookntaka, Friends from the Canal responds to Gowanus’ state of flux. Amidst new development and environmental remediation, this multi-site public art installation imagines gentle creatures emerging from the Gowanus Canal to investigate the commotion and meet their neighbors. These three “cheerful mutants,” known as Loofa, Shelby, and Pebbles, have unique silhouettes inspired by the canal’s aquatic fauna. Placed outside at three locations in Gowanus—Cafe Mars, Union Channel, and Wyckoff Gardens—the Friends create play in unexpected places and invite people to break their usual routine. During the day, they’re colorful, welcoming creatures, and at night, they provide a soft, radiating light.

To encourage more exploration of Gowanus, Friends from the Canal is accompanied by a scavenger hunt of local cafes, shops, and restaurants. Visit each local business on the map to collect a unique sticker designed by Mookntaka. When you collect all 18 stickers, stop by Van Alen Institute to redeem prizes from local businesses. Printed maps with scavenger hunt locations and instructions can be found at Van Alen and From Here to Sunday, a local gallery and gift shop located at 567 Union Street.

On the summer solstice, Mookntaka pulled together with their neighbors Arts Gowanus, Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, Van Alen Institute, The Shop BK, and Council Member Shahana Hanif’s office to host the Creatures of the Canal block party. This day of cross-canal connections celebrated the reopening of the Carroll Street Bridge. Built in 1899 and closed for repairs since 2021, the Carroll Street Bridge is one of the city’s oldest, and one of only four retractable bridges remaining in the US. They marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Council Member Hanif, art activities, a costume contest, and the Friendsfloating down the canal.

Mookntaka (MOO-kin-tah-kah) is a Brooklyn-based artist duo by Mark Zlotsky and Karyn Lao. They believe in art that encourages people of all ages to connect through play. Utilizing mediums associated with arts-and-crafts, rudimentary shapes, and lively colors, Mark and Karyn design interactive moments that bring people together.

Mookntaka embodies the whimsical lens they investigate our surroundings with. It serves as a reminder to find joy in unexpected places and embrace the silliness and curiosity of our inner child.

Mookntaka was selected through an open call held in Fall 2025, and chosen by a committee of local residents and community leaders in collaboration with Van Alen Institute.

Friends from the Canal is produced by Van Alen Institute and made possible by a Public Realm Grant for Commercial District Lighting awarded through the NYC Department of Small Business Services; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.