Course Description

This course will investigate the ways in which artists have presented narratives in the public realm and the organizations that have made the presentation of those works central to their curatorial practices over the last 40 years. Focusing on recent works presented in New York’s public spaces by Creative Time, The Public Art Fund, the Percent for Art Program, Arts for Transit and other non-profits organizations, this course will look at what it meant to tell stories and open discourses that challenged or interrogated widely-held value systems, the events and the politics of their time. In addition to the specifics of current and other key works and projects, we will discuss the conditions that governed the development of public performance, temporary and permanent installations, the ways in which those works were influenced by public approval processes and governmental agencies, media coverage and community response. Each student’s final project will be an on-line proposal for an exhibition that conveys a “narrative“ developed in the context of this course, referencing other relevant works .

Monday, October 15, 2018

Three Narratives: Chelsea

I noticed that Chelsea is a very historically proud area. I'd like to research more on it's history and maybe make some historical reference as a public piece.

What are the demographics of the community in which the project will be sited? 
The residents in Chelsea are predominantly white, with a large hispanic, asian, and black community. Chelsea does attract a large tourist population, resulting in above average consumer spending.

Who is your audience?
I want my audience to be locals who have lived in Chelsea for at least 5 years. What audience it will actually target, I am not sure.

Are there groups that can become involved in the realization of your project?  
Local artists, locals in general. 

Are there organizations that are doing related work? 
Not that I am aware of.

1.


I was interested in this site, I did not take photos while passing it, these are Google Maps images.
It is located on 14th Street between 6th and 7th Ave. Currently, there is nothing in this space and it is fenced and locked. It has no signifier to suggest that there is any proposed idea for the space or if it is owned by anyone at the moment. My first general idea is a public space of some sort. My concerns are the bus stop and homeless population nearby the area. The bus stop gets extremely crowded and a public space might make it more crowded. If it is converted into a public space, will it be gated at nights?

What is the civic process that a project like this requires? 
Seeing if the space is available, usable, and able to hold artworks or become a public space.

What about permits?  
I have to figure out if it's a publicly owned piece of land or if the neighboring buildings own it. If it's not owned by the neighboring buildings, I have to see if I'm able to use it, if having people there is safe and allowed. How many people can fit at one time. What's a hazard and what's not.

What about governmental agencies? 
Public Art Fund?

What about social media? 
Social media can bring a large crowd, do i want that?

What about documentation of the project?
Video, images.



2.  I am interested in interactive sculpture, for example Alamo or The Cube, by Bernard Rosenthal. With Chelsea lacking in huge open spaces, I was thinking a small or multiple piece work, similar to Life Underground by Tom Otterness. The series of sculptures could guide you through the Chelsea area, referencing historic symbols, figures, and events. If i were to continue this idea, I would talk to Chelsea residents and see what historic values they hold on to in relation to that area.

What is the civic process that a project like this requires? 
Finding locations for each sculpture, seeing if it's available, seeing if I'm allowed to put work there.

What about permits?  
Permits to place sculptures in public places.

What about governmental agencies? 
Making sure the work does not interfere with anything.

What about social media?
Social media can aid in making the artwork known. 

What about documentation of the project?
Video, Images.


3.  Another idea is an interactive sculpture in the space pictures above. Something similar to a sculpture garden with local artists exhibiting work. I like the idea of a gallery but not as reserved and boxed in. Again, will this increase crowding problems? Will it be fenced? Locked at night? Would the residents above allow it? Enjoy it? It could possibly be a common area with sculptures in it from local artists.

What is the civic process that a project like this requires? 
Permits, contacting neighbors, a trial run maybe.

What about social media? 
Social media can help artists get their work out there.

What about documentation of the project?
Video, Images.




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