Posts Tagged ‘Public Space’

Changing Times

Monday, December 21st, 2009

This “digital” clock was created by artist Mark Formanek at Rotterdam Central Station (NL). For 24 hours from November 27th to the 28th, each wooden number was carefully adjusted by a total of 36 workers, making this a real clock that keeps accurate time. The performance was recorded on film and will be shown in Rotterdam throughout the city.

It’s kind of a great cosmic meditation: an analog version of the digital, recorded it so it will function into the future as part of the digital world. I wonder if the wooden components will simply become kindling?

Standard Time is an artwork by Mark Formanek commissioned by Bureau Binnenstad (City of Rotterdam). With thanks to Rotterdam Festivals and Rotterdam Centraal (NS, Prorail and Randstadrail)

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Posted in Art & Artists, Display, Graphic Design, Public Space | 1 Comment »

3 Versions of the High Line

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

hihgline2
Photo: Haena Kang via Flickr

The first segment of the High Line park in Manhattan’s meatpacking district opened in June to widespread acclaim and instant popularity. The public flocked to the former elevated train tracks on the West Side to take in the panoramic views of the sun setting over the Hudson, rest on the chaise longues, and stroll under the new Standard Hotel which straddles the park.

highline1
Photo: Michael Appleton for The New York Times

A carpet of pink, violet, and white begonias mysteriously blooming on a rooftop at 13th and Washington next to the High Line turned out to be the work of Robert Isabell, famed party planner to the stars, who died suddenly in early July.

AR Highline
Photo: Angela Riechers

During a recent visit to the High Line I spotted this little unloved patch of weeds quietly growing on an awning overlooking 14th Street and thought how funny it was to see a naturally-occurring High Line happening right next to the real deal, which took years of careful planning and millions of dollars to achieve, and just one block away from Isabell’s pedigreed, privately funded variation on the theme.
—Angela Riechers

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Posted in New York City, Public Space | No Comments »