Boston residents noticed something different about downtown this morning — something pink. But what exactly was it? A giant, inflatable baby waving hello from a rooftop? A man-shaped blob trapped between buildings, or stuck in a tree?
The figure in question is called Monsieur Rose, or Mr. Pink — no, not the one played by Steve Buscemi in “Reservoir Dogs.”
These “Mr. Pinks” — made of PVC, blowers, and steel cable — are the creation of French artist Philippe Katerine, who’s also a singer and an actor. Several pink men are currently on view throughout the city as part of the second round of “WINTERACTIVE,” a free, walkable art happening featuring interactive play elements and presented by the Downtown Boston Alliance.
The event is “inspired by the vibrant winter festivals and art exhibitions of our neighbors in the province of Québec in Canada,” according to the exhibition’s website at winteractive.org. Perhaps you remember the floating clown heads from last year. Or maybe something about a glowing unicorn.
The Mr. Pinks are part of a somewhat obscure movement, also created by the artist, known as mignonisme (cute-ism), which “WINTERACTIVE” defines as “a poetically off-kilter movement to embrace the aesthetics of ‘cuteness’ in our physical and psychological environments.”
As of Wednesday, a handful of pink figures had been revealed, but soon other artworks will be populating the city — there will be 15 different artworks in all — not to mention your dreams (or nightmares!).
One pink man sits with his legs dangling off of the Old Corner Bookstore-turned-Chipotle on Washington Street. His head is tilted in a childlike wonder emphasized by his baby-like proportions; his hand raised in a polite gesture of acknowledgment to the people walking beneath his feet.
The Winthrop Center has been invaded by another pink man, this one with his back facing pedestrians walking down Devonshire Street. With pink inflatable hands gripping the window, he appears to be peering into the glass.
A short walk away, on Chauncy Street, a pink man can be seen squeezed into the alley next to Barry’s. “I’m really excited to see these around downtown,” said Barry’s employee AJ Longabaugh. “It’s allowing people to look up.”
The winter art exhibition runs through March 30.
An earlier version of this article misstated the total number of pieces in “WINTERACTIVE.” There will be 15 artworks in all.
Marianna Orozco can be reached at marianna.orozco@globe.com.