NEW YORK, NY.- Artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz has created A Pause in the City That Never Sleeps. The video consists of a continuous yawn on loop, which is being shown on Times Square’s electronic billboards from 11:57 pm to midnight each night in January. This project is a part of Midnight Moment, a monthly presentation by The Times Square Advertising Coalition and Times Square Arts. The January presentation is in partnership with Performance Space 122’s COIL 2015 Festival. On Saturday, January 17, the final night of their festival, there will be a special gathering with the artist at 11:45pm on Duffy Square, inspiring a massive yawn-in.

The yawning character appears on multiple screens as a bored, omnipresent head looking down at the passing people from between product billboards and advertisements. As yawns are contagious, the masses of people looking up at the screens inadvertently feel inclined to stop and yawn.

As the yawning masses continue to their different destinations across the city, they now unconsciously carry with them their contagious message, spreading a scarce and valuable moment of pause throughout the city.

Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance, said, “The beauty of Sebastian Errazuriz’s piece is its attempt to induce a contagious moment of calm and pause at the otherwise bustling crossroads of Times Square. That juxtaposition is sure to be powerful for all who have the chance to see it. We will see how the largest digital display of yawns in history will affect the city that never sleeps."

Sherry Dobbin, Times Square Arts Director, said, “Sebastian's piece seduces viewers to become participants in a massive action that can cover Times Square with yawns. Partnering with the COIL 2015 Festival reminds us that Midnight Moment is as much about the performance of the audience on the stage of Times Square as it about the presentation on the screens.”

Fred Rosenberg, President of the Times Square Advertising Coalition, said, “I am very proud of all the TSAC Members who have once again collaborated to support the Midnight Moment in the New Year. This moment of pause is fitting to kick off the New Year and allow passersbys to reflect on their aspirations for the New Year ahead.”

Sebastian Errazuriz, artist, said “It’s a little scary as an artist to present a project that is this simple. Nevertheless, I intuitively trust that at times it is the importance of leaving a pause or a blank space that allows us to highlight and be aware of everything else that is in that space. At times the simplest projects are the hardest to do. You cannot hide behind a simple project, the truth is exposed, distilled and present.”

The following digital screens are participating in the January Midnight Moment: ABC SuperSign, American Eagle Times Square, Bank of America, Branded Cities 7 Times Square, Branded Cities NASDAQ Tower Times Square, Branded Cities Thomson Reuters, Outfront Media 1515 Broadway, CEMUSA, City Outdoor, Clear Channel Spectacolor HD127, Clear Channel Spectacolor HD128, Sherwood Outdoor