You may be wondering: why? Or, more specifically, "Why the Ys?"

Whitinsville has been invaded by the letter Y, courtesy of the "Y" project, a public art installation that asks residents to contemplate social questions while enjoying giant letters that wouldn't necessarily look out of place on an episode of "Sesame Street."

Prior to coming to Whitinsville, the project sculptures have been placed in New York City, Providence, Rhode Island, Cambridge and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The aim of the "Y" project is to promote a greater understanding of social issues through temporary sculptures placed in public places. The artworks, in the shape of the letter "Y" ask us to ponder "Why do we live so comfortably with an imbalance of human equality and irresponsibility?"

Four sculptures, asking the questions "Y Think," "Y Discriminate," "Y Aids," and "Y Care" are located at the Whitin Community Center, the Whitinsville Social Library, Alternatives Community Plaza and in front of Alternatives Whitin Mill complex. According to the artist, Ralph Brancaccio, the placements are chosen very specifically.

"Public art has the inherent power to reach a wide audience," Brancaccio says, "and because the installation will be in a community space, the imagery and the message it Carries will be embedded in the everyday fabric of life of those who walk or ride by it."

"We are very excited that ValleyCAST! a subsidiary of Alternatives has brought the "Y" Project to Whitinsville," said Dennis Rice, Executive Director of Alternatives. "We don't want to say too much about 'why,' but will let the community make up its own mind about what 'Y' is important to them. We would also like to thank our partners, the Whitin Community Center, the Whitinsville Social Library and Koopman Lumber."

The steel sculptures, which measure 10 feet in height, were moved from their previous location in Provincetown by an in-kind donation by Koopman Lumber.

"As a family owned and operated business serving the area since 1939, Koopman's philosophy is that strong communities build better businesses. We are very happy to help with bringing these sculptures to our little corner of New England for the community to enjoy," said Tony Brookhouse, Chief Operating Officer of Koopman Lumber.

The public is invited to take an active role in the project by suggesting other themes for new sculptures. Forms are available at each of the installations and on Alternatives' website, www.alternativesnet.org.