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21 December 2009 @ 06:01 pm
A Holiday Tradition in Syracuse, NY  
With Christmas just around the corner, a local holiday tradition for the city of Syracuse continues. As with years past, the plaster figures along the train platform on I-690 Westbound will stay warm this holiday season. A mystery woman, who wants to remain that way, simply revealing herself as "Cyndie," has been placing red scarves on the figures during the holidays for the past 15 years. The mother of three says she usually puts the thick red scarves (which she cuts from large sheets of fleece fabric) on the statues right after the first snow of the season and removes them after the new year.
Epolito and Larry Zankowski created the figures, which initially numbered seven, in 1982. The statues are officially titled "Waiting for the Night Train" and represent passengers waiting for trains along what was once the main line of the historic New York Central Railway. To read more about this public art display and the associated holiday tradition, click here.
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01 December 2009 @ 05:04 pm
Miami's Newest Artsy 'Hood  

Thousands of dealers, galleries, collectors, critics and art-enthusiasts will be flocking to Miami's art and design shows this week. These art-fair attendees will have their hands (and eyes) full - not only because of the vast number and eclectic nature of artwork on display at the various fairs (favorites include Art Basel Miami Beach and Aqua Art Miami) , but also because Miami's once decaying midtown section is now a hub for art, design, fashion and cuisine. Thanks to property developer, Dacra (led by CEO Craig Robins), Midtown Miami has gone through a revival during the past decade.

Robins discusses the transformation of the semi-industrial 18-block area in a recent FT.com article. He says,

"I’ve always believed in art and design as an economic driver ... We try to combine quality, long-term businesses with alternative uses such as cultural events, art exhibitions and limited edition experiences. Then the area becomes an amazing, unusual place. It’s this dynamism that creates long-term growth.”

In addition to mixing high-profile design showrooms, fashion houses and restaurants, Robins' s on-going process also includes Dacra-commissioned artwork that can be viewed and enjoyed by the public.


The article discusses Dacra's unique inclusion of public art into Miami's newest hot neighborhood,

Site-specific sculpture and architectural hardware, commissioned by Dacra, have enhanced the ambiance. These include Zaha Hadid’s “Elastika” [above] sculpture in the historic Moore Furniture Company building, Marc Newson’s bespoke fence for the Design & Architecture Senior High School and Cuban artist José Bedia’s murals in the Buick Building. Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco’s eye-catching mural “Sol” and Kenny Scharf’s “Fountain of Life” enliven the Buena Vista building’s atrium while “Diamantina”, an outdoor installation by Brazilian designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, was the site-specific commission for winning Design Miami’s Designer of the Year award 2008. “All these pieces give the neighbourhood a very special sense of space,” says Robins.

As the emerging creative scene flourishes, more and more "creative businesses" (art galleries / studios) are making this once - shady and deserted area of Miami their high-end home. Luxury retail stores are also launching branches in this location (think Fendi, Proenza Schouler, Christian Dior, and even Audi).

Robins promises that those who visit will not be disappointed, as all of the retailers in the area will be "doing something special" at their showrooms during December's art fair inundation.

To read the entire article from FT.com, click here.

For a list of Miami's December 2009 Art Fairs, click here.
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10 November 2009 @ 03:12 pm
A Fork in the Road  

If you happen to be in Pasadena and are driving past the area where South St. John and South Pasadena Avenues divide, you will come to a large fork in the road. While you won't need to make the decision of which direction to go,  you probably will wonder why there is literally a gigantic silver fork in the middle of the road.

The staggering silver fork, made from wood and containing a black steel skeleton, is rooted in the traffic median's 2 1/2 feet of concrete. Ken Marshall created the fork as a 75th birthday surprise for his friend, Bob Stane. Stane is the owner of the Coffee Gallery Backstage, a coffeehouse and showroom in Altadena. He was extremely excited and truly surprised by the colossal birthday gift.


An recent LA Times Article states,
 
The fork was finished about 9:50 a.m. on Halloween after friends worked to erect it clad in fake Caltrans uniforms and hard hats. Friends surprised Stane 10 minutes later with the utensil and chocolate cake. "We had a large-fork-in-the-road party," Marshall said. Stane said the fork was absolutely shocking. "I was basically screaming, 'Oh my God, he did it! He did it!...” Stane first playfully suggested that the location might be appropriate for a fork monument about 10 years ago in conversation with Marshall. The idea's been brewing ever since.

While the artwork’s unknown origin initially shocked motorists and residents, most people seem to enjoy the 18-foot fork. The city of Pasadena and Caltrans, who owns the median, are seriously considering keeping the artwork up as an impromptu piece of street art.

 

The article continues,

 

The city completed a safety inspection on the fork this week and is waiting for results, said Stephanie DeWolfe, deputy director of Planning and Development… If the fork is safe and secure, the city is going to attempt to negotiate a deal with Marshall to keep it as temporary public art, as long as Marshall agrees to absorb the cost of removing the piece when it comes time, DeWolfe said.

 

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16 October 2009 @ 04:59 pm
A Kaleidoscope Brightens Up D.C.'s Southern Gateways  


Image from RISD
 
The 14th Street Bridge, a nearly 60 year old structure whose bleak stone tower (where the drawbridge keeper once sat) has not been called to open since the 1960s, now houses a vividly flashing kaleidoscope that is nearly complete. Thanks to the Washington D.C. Department of Transportation (who recognized the necessity of beautifying D.C.'s southern gateways) and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (who the D.O.T. turned to for help), drivers and passengers traveling to and from our nation's capital will see a beautifully flashing array of color.

The arts commission chose five artists as finalists for the project, but they ultimately selected Mikyoung Kim, who proposed creating the kaleidscope. Kim's creation flashes thousands of colors and glimmers in six directions, and once it is complete, it will act as a warm welcome to everyone who passes by

As the Washington Post reports:

The kaleidoscope is constructed with six dichroic acrylic cones placed inside the tower, one facing each window pane. There is a mirror at the bottom of each cone, and a light that helps with the reflection. The dichroic cones produce different hues when viewed from various angles.

The final lighting is still in the works and could be operational by the end of the month, Dickerson said. The beacon has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, which governs lighting on bridges over navigable waters. It will revolve, much like the light in a lighthouse. But it won't be so bright that it will alarm or distract drivers, Dickerson said.

Click here to read the full article.


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06 October 2009 @ 04:13 pm
(no subject)  
 I just read a great article from the Houston Chronicle about a new public art piece by the artist Matthew Geller.  Channel Flow was created as a $150,000 commission that aims to put more public art into the Houston community.  Like much of the public art that we love so much, it seems like not everyone is "in on the secret":

It's not readily apparent to Buffalo Bayou Park users that the 60-foot-tall metal-pipe structure that looms on the other side of the fence bordering the park and the Sabine Street Water Pump Station is an interactive sculpture created by an internationally recognized artist.

Even people who interact with the sculpture by standing under the 30-foot-high shower head and putting some elbow grease into an old-fashioned mechanical pump — the only element that sits on the park side of the fence — might assume they're just having a shower, not engaging an artwork.

That's just fine with Matthew Geller, the New York-based artist commissioned by , the nonprofit agency charged with managing the city's art collection, to create Open Channel Flow for the Public Works and Engineering Department.

click here to keep reading the article


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21 September 2009 @ 01:10 pm
Dennis Oppenheim: Public Projects  


Tomorrow night Storefront for Art and Architecture will be hosting the launch of Dennis Oppenheim's new book.  Public Projects, published by Charta Books, is a conversation between Vito Acconci, Aaron Betsky, Liam Gillick and Dennis Oppenheim.  The book examines Oppenheim's work that often engages the public on very large scales.  

Public ProjectsTuesday, September 22, 7pm
Lecture and Book Launch
97 Kenmare Street
New York, NY 10012
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01 September 2009 @ 11:39 am
Art or graffiti... you decide  
As we know quite well, there is a very fine line between what is labeled "art" and what gets deemed "trash".  Despite the kinds of graffiti that have elevated the practice to be called "street art" for many people (think Keith Haring, Lee Quinones, and Banksy), many out there still see tags and spray paint as vandalism and criminal.  I just read that the city of Bristol (U.K.) is going to start asking their citizens whether certain wall paintings should stay or go.



From the BBC:

People living in Bristol may be asked to vote on whether graffiti should be left on buildings or removed, in an attempt to promote street artists.
Under the plan, the city council will ask the public to decide whether murals are art or graffiti tags.
As part of a street art policy, council contractors will not take action if people vote to keep wall paintings.
The proposal will be debated at a meeting of Bristol City Council on 15 September.  

click here to keep reading

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27 August 2009 @ 10:32 am
(no subject)  
 I just read a great article over at the New York Times... if you don't know much about "green roofs", click here for more info.




From the NYTimes:

Green roofs have become all the architectural rage these days, with each new one claiming to be the biggest of such-and-such area, type, whatever. But you hardly hear of the smallest green roofs.

Atom Cianfarani, a Brooklyn artist, introduced what are probably among the tiniest green roofs in New York City Wednesday in her Brooklyn public art exhibit, “Welcomed Guests,” as part of a Department of Transportation urban art program. The two roofs, which sit atop bird nesting boxes, measure 6 inches by 5 inches and 4 inches by 5 inches. Like many larger green roofs, these mini ones also have a root retention layers, a water retention layer, a growing medium, and plants. 

continue reading here
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18 August 2009 @ 02:03 pm
(no subject)  
 I have been a long-time (okay, maybe not that long-time - it is a fairly new site) supporter of a website called MutualArt.com.  I use it for a variety of things when researching shows, or writing these blogs of mine.  I actually consider myself an above-average "googler", but when it comes to art fairs, exhibitions, or things like that, search engines just come up with too many results.

So I tend to check out MutualArt a couple of times a week.  First, to see what kinds of events their editors have picked for me (based on some preferences I chose).  Then I peruse the events in "my part of the world", and then begin my searches.  They have a really good-looking interface, and if you go to most museums, you can view artworks.  For example, you can see hundreds of images from the Met's collection.  The images aren't as big as I'd like; afterall, I'd prefer them lifesize.  But it's a good site if you want to get lost inside images upon images for hours and hours.

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12 August 2009 @ 12:13 pm
Answers to Public Art questions  
A few weeks ago I posted that the NYTimes was asking their readers to pose questions for Jean Parker Phifer, the author of "Public Art New York."  Last week they posted the answers to those questions.

From the New York Times:

....

 Are there any laws that protect public art once it is exhibited?
I remember when “Tilted Arc” was removed from the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building due to public protests. I realize that it was on federal property, but I use this as an example. If A LOT of people and politicians objected to a public work of art on city property, can it be removed and who has the authority to remove it?
 
— Posted by Charles Macris

Answer:
 
The case of “Tilted Arc” was certainly unusual, and its site, the Federal Plaza, was later filled with a park designed by Martha Schwartz in a whimsical manner quite the opposite of Serra’s piece. Permanent public art on New York City property is under the jurisdiction of the Public Design Commission. The commission was created under the New York City Charter in 1898 as the Art Commission to review proposals for the quality and placement of public art, and it also serves as the curator overseeing the long-term maintenance and preservation of the city’s art collection. Occasionally, pieces that create public controversy are relocated, like the removal of Frederick MacMonnies’ “Civic Virtue” from City Hall Park to a site near the Queens Borough Hall in the early 20th century. Temporary public art, including work exhibited under the auspices of the Public Art Fund or other nonprofit sponsors, is not reviewed by the Public Design Commission, and its installation is arranged directly with the appropriate agency, usually the Parks Department or the Department of Transportation. 

click here to read more questions and responses from Jean Parker Phifer

and here to read about Richard Serra

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05 August 2009 @ 11:24 am
Trouble near the windy city  


 I just read about another public art controversy, this one in the Chicago suburb of Evanston...

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For the second time in recent years, public art is proving controversial in Evanston, where one official questioned whether a sculpture of two figures perched atop a garage suggests a death leap.
 
"I know there are some who will love it and some who will just hate it," said Ald. Ann Rainey (8th). "The artwork implied to me a potential suicide."
 
The City Council agreed to spend $105,000 on "Encounter," a sculpture by German artist Hubertus von der Goltz. The work depicting two human figures on opposite ends of a seesaw-like plank will be mounted this year on top of the public garage. "Public art is supposed to provoke discussion," said Jeff Cory, the city's cultural arts director. "People often change their minds once they have a chance to think about a piece of public art."
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28 July 2009 @ 11:21 am
Public Art questions  
 If you're interested in the public art of New York, then this week is your lucky week.... 

From the NY Times:
"This week, Jean Parker Phifer, the author of “Public Art New York” (Norton, 2009), will be responding to readers’ questions about the city’s monumental sculptures, significant landscapes, artistic sidewalks and creative lighting, as well as how and why public art stimulates and enriches urban life.
 
Readers who would like to ask Ms. Phifer a question should do so in the comments box....."

Click here to continue reading and to leave your comments regarding New York's public art
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20 July 2009 @ 04:05 pm
Brazilian brothers  
Two Brazilian brothers/artists are living it up - art style - in Rio de Janeiro. Tiago and Gabriel Primo are living on the side of an exterior wall next to an art gallery, for about 14 hours a day, as a "living art exhibit" through the middle of August 2009. They speak with onlookers while they lay in hammocks, scale the wall, or eat their meals - all 33 feet above ground.

Click here to read more about the Primo brothers or watch the video below



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13 July 2009 @ 03:11 pm
Seattle public art making a splash...  
A series of new public art pieces are now installed along the new Link Light Rail in Seattle...

From the Seattle Times:

A huge blue ceramic raindrop and its equally enormous "splash" ... a 35-foot-tall garden spade composed of twining tendrils and bountiful blooms ... wrecking-ball-sized pears, halved and lassoed together onto fragments of train track ... .
 
A spirit of playful giganticism informs much of the public art along Sound Transit's new Link light-rail route between Seattle's Westlake Station and Tukwila. There are beguiling small touches, too — as well as one or two misfires. But it's the outsize exuberance of Tad Savinar's "A Drop of Sustenance," Victoria Fuller's "Global Garden Shovel" and Buster Simpson's punning "Parable" that may make the strongest impression on riders boarding the train Saturday when Link opens.

click here to keep reading the article

or visit MutualArt.com to see a listing of art galleries and museums in Seattle


 
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09 July 2009 @ 02:18 pm
The Lost Tribes of New York  
New York-based "urban anthropologists" Andy and Carolyn London (of London Squared) recently released their newest project - The Lost Tribes of New York. It's a beautiful little piece about the people of New York:

The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

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07 July 2009 @ 01:18 pm
Trafalgar Square gets personal  
This summer, sculptor Antony Gormley will ask thousands (2,400 to be exact) of volunteers to stand on the fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square, one at a time for one hour increments, to complete a piece he has long envisioned. Typically a place reserved for the nobility, the plinth will hold ordinary people this summer, as Gormley invites them to do whatever they would like.




From the New York Times article about Gormley's Trafalgar piece:

“This is not about privilege, not about power, not about war or honoring the dead,” said the artist, Antony Gormley. “It’s about celebrating the living.”
 
London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, had a different take: “It’s a triumphant meditation on the themes of fame and glory,” he declared. “My friends, someday your plinth will come.”
 
The idea seems simple, but has been fairly complicated to pull off. More than 17,000 people have applied for the slots, mostly through the Internet, with winners — who have to be over 16 and living in Britain — selected by a computer algorithm that accounts for geographical diversity. The slots for September and October have yet to be filled.
 
Plinthers, as they are being called, are allotted specific slots and expected to show up on time, even if it is, say, 2 a.m. or raining. They must spend the hour alone, but are otherwise allowed to do whatever they feel like doing, within reason.
 
They can even take their clothes off. “Nakedness is absolutely essential,” Mr. Gormley said in an interview. “Nakedness is to art what the ball is to football.”

 
 

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23 June 2009 @ 03:06 pm
Topiaries  
While I know this isn't exactly the fine-art public art that I usually focus on, I came across this post a few days ago from one of my most favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy, and it reminded me to be a little more lighthearted with myself. Here's what they had to say:

While topiary sculpture may not be the hippest idea in landscape design — especially when it comes in the shape of elephants or teddy bears — its execution requires a kind of mad genius that we find oddly captivating. Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (featured in Errol Morris’ 1997 documentary, Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control) can provide much inspiration to someone hoping to add a little modern art menagerie (think Jeff Koons’ Puppy) to their yard.
...
Green Animals is open from May through October.
Portsmouth, RI 02871





 

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22 June 2009 @ 02:24 pm
Jeppe Hein at Basel  
 For this year's Art Basel extravaganza, artist Jeppe Hein has used the idea of a common park bench and turned it into a public sculpture installation.  Like a "park bench on steroids", the twisted form invites the public to sit, play, and walk on it.  With so much seriousness going on in the world right now, it seems like a good dose of whimsy is what we need, and Jeppe Hein agrees - his piece reminds us to smile, and invites us all to be children again.

information found on DesignCrave






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16 June 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Toronto's Luminato Festival  
 Toronto's Luminato Festival has several public art installations around the city - and it has the public excited, albeit a little confused.

Artist Germaine Koh's Broken Arrow in the Exchange Tower at 130 King St. W. left most observers unsure of how to react.
 
Three stacked boxes suspended from the ceiling over some escalators project words like CB Radio, Echelon and Air Traffic along with arcs of light onto nearby walls while emitting a high-pitched whine.
 
"I don't even have the words to describe it. I'm not getting this one," said technical worker Josie Diluzio.
 
"They're all technology-related ... and brand names. It's something about technology," said accountant Camillo Casciato.
 
"It sure makes a lot of noise," Casciato added.

keep reading the article at TheStar.com
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10 June 2009 @ 11:28 am
City of Troy sued for Censorship  
On the heels of my last post about the controversial paintings in Arkansas I thought today I'd link to an article I found about the city of Troy, New York.  The suit has been filed against the city and Robert Mirch, the Public Works Commissioner, in response to the shutting down of an art exhibit in March of 2008.

From The Times Union:

The Sanctuary for Independent Media at 331 Sixth Ave. was closed on March 11, 2008, for code violations by the city, which was a violation of its rights to free speech, the lawsuit claims.

The center was host to Iraqi-American artist Wafaa Bilal's digital artwork "Virtual Jihadi," which featured a video game in which President George W. Bush is hunted by a terrorist bomber.

Bilal's work originally was to be shown at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but the university cancelled the show after complaints were made about its content.

Mirch made public statements attacking the exhibit and led a demonstration outside the media center protesting the exhibition. Mirch oversees the city's code enforcement office.

"City officials cannot selectively enforce building codes to shut down an art exhibition they find distasteful," Melanie Trimble, director of the NYCLU's Capital Region Chapter, said in a statement.

"Mr. Mirch abused his authority to suppress the free speech rights of people he disagrees with, an unconstitutional act that must be challenged," Trimble continued.

The NYCLU is seeking a U.S. District Court in Albany ruling to prevent the city from selectively using the building code to suppress civil rights and undisclosed financial damages for the Media Alliance, the nonprofit that operates the Sanctuary, and Steve Pierce, its executive director.

click here for the full article



 
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