Art sights in New York City
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A
East Harlem Artpark
Mayor Bloomberg has been a great supporter of the Public Art Fund, as well as the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art, initiated in 1982 by then-mayor Edward Koch, requiring that 1% of the city’s budget for construction projects be spent on integrating art into the design or architecture of new facilities. Since its inception there have been more than 220 such projects at public schools, libraries, parks and police stations, and projects have included Valerie Jaudon’s brick-and-granite mosaic at Manhattan’s police headquarters, Jorge Luis Rodriguez’ bright-orange steel flower in the East Harlem Artpark, and a Holocaust Memorial (State Supreme Court, …
reviewed
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B
Holocaust Memorial
Mayor Bloomberg has been a great supporter of the Public Art Fund, as well as the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art, initiated in 1982 by then-mayor Edward Koch, requiring that 1% of the city’s budget for construction projects be spent on integrating art into the design or architecture of new facilities. Since its inception there have been more than 220 such projects at public schools, libraries, parks and police stations, and projects have included Valerie Jaudon’s brick-and-granite mosaic at Manhattan’s police headquarters, Jorge Luis Rodriguez’ bright-orange steel flower in the East Harlem Artpark (Sylvan Pl & E 120th St), and a Holocaust Memori…
reviewed
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C
Graffiti Hall of Fame
A schoolyard that celebrates all sorts of taggers, this art gallery of the street was founded in 1980 by graffiti artist Ray Rodriguez (aka Sting Ray) and a group of community-minded supporters who saw the lasting value in an art that some politicians and business-owners tend to view as vandalism. You can visit the colorful murals at any time, though the actual Graffiti Hall of Fame event, which is when ‘writers’ come from all over the globe to add their art to the walls, is held in late June. For updates check the website Streets Are Saying Things (www.streetsaresayingthings.com), run by a Hall of Fame organizer and a good source of graffiti-related news.
reviewed
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D
Socrates Sculpture Park
Transformed from an illegal dumping site in 1986, this open-air, 4.5-acre public space near the Noguchi museum displays sculptures, installations and superb light shows illuminating its waterfront location on the East River. Try to time a visit around free events – like yoga and capoeira on summer Saturdays and movie screenings on Wednesdays from mid-July to mid-August; pre-screening performances start at 7pm; films begin at sunset (food available).
reviewed
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E
New York Earth Room
Since 1980 the oddity of the New York Earth Room, the work of artist Walter De Maria, has been wooing the curious with something not easily found in the city: dirt (250 cu yd, or 280,000lb, of it, to be exact). Walking into the small space is a heady experience, as the scent will make you feel like you’ve entered a wet forest; the sight of such beautiful, pure earth in the midst of this crazy city is surprisingly moving.
reviewed
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F
Pratt Institute
The Pratt Institute, a noted art and design school, has some interesting courtyard sculptures created by some of its 4000-plus students.
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