Wednesday 03rd June 2015
The most interesting things happen on borders. The places where the edges between areas merge - whether they're natural ecosystems, cities or ideas - is where the magic happens. Ideas shift and blend together, and you never know what will happen next. This may be part of the reason that Brooklyn Bridge Park, situated (you guessed it!) right near Brooklyn Bridge between its namesake and Manhattan, is playing host to an appealing new series of art installations for the next year. The brainchild of Danish artist Jeppe Hein, the series is relatively unique among public art projects in that viewers are encouraged to experience the artwork by interacting with it directly. The series is entitled, 'Please Touch the Art', and everyone involved hopes you'll do just that among the 18 different installations that are scattered throughout the park.
As Nicholas Baume, Public Art Fund Director & Chief Curator says, "Jeppe grew up in Denmark where art is very much a part of civic life… this democratic spirit of public art is something he feels naturally connected to." In an official press release, he also discussed the work in more detail. "“Imaginative, whimsical, irreverent, and emotionally resonant, Jeppe Hein turns familiar expectations of works of art on their head. Instead of the respectful distance demanded in museums, Hein’s work invites participation. Titling the exhibition Please Touch the Art, he encourages us to interact with his art in the most direct physical terms. Through that immersive experience, Hein hopes that his work will also touch us."
Whether you happen to be in New York now, or are going to be there in the near future, you're in luck, as the exhibit will be staying in the park until April, 2016. Hopefully, the exhibit will encourage New Yorkers to abandon their traditional (or at least, stereotypical) disconnect from the city around them if it doesn't directly affect them, and bring them the joy and life of a European artistic perspective. While Central Park has played host to grand artistic gestures (think of Cristo's saffron gates project that delighted park-goers several years ago), it's the titular crown of all of New York's parks - it's nice to see things spreading outwards as the city grows and evolves.
To learn more about Jeppe Hein and his past works, take a stop over at his website
http://www.jeppehein.net/. There are also some great images of his past and present projects.
Posted on June 03rd 2015 on 07:19pm
