sundance

Public art to provide renewable power at Freshkills Park

Almost exactly two years ago, we took a look at the ambitious plans for turning Staten Island’s closed Fresh Kills landfill into a massive recreational complex and park that rivals Central Park. Those plans have moved forward in the interim, and the Land Art Generator Initiative is contributing to the development of Freshkills Park with a design competition for “site-specific public artwork” that also generates energy from renewable sources.

The Boston Tea Party meets urban agriculture

Think “strict constitutionalists” have control of the Boston Tea Party as metaphor? Not so fast… sustainable food activists in Boston itself are latching on to this seminal act of American revolt to “catalyze a movement” around urban agriculture, fresh food access, and green space creation this Spring.

Green tech finds (2/10/11)

Pyramid power, flying yachts, and solar soup… your green tech finds for the week.

• Rent a Volt: St. Louis-based Enterprise Rent-a-Car now offers the Chevy Volt for rental at its Ontario, California branch.
  
  
• The case for building efficiency: Energy efficiency measures aren’t as sexy as solar panels, but Heather Clancy shows how they’re paying off… which makes the Obama administration’s Better Building Initiative a smart move in today’s political climate.
  
  

Julien Berthier, master illusionist

French artist Julien Berthier is a master of the trompe l’oeil. While his work is conceptually complex, it’s the initial ‘gotcha’ moment that’s so well-executed you can’t help but want to know more. “Love love” (2007), for instance, looks like a sinking ship until you see the man aboard, reclining comfortably. Berthier constructed half of a boat weighted with a hefty mooring device that keeps it balanced precariously.

Public art: Subway spoiler alert signs

Newmindspace and Jason Eppink collaborated in installing these “Spoiler Alert” signs around the few New York City subway stations with LED displays as a commentary on their impact on certain commuter habits and behaviors. These LED signs also threaten historical social behaviors, rendering obsolete the time-honored New York tradition of leaning over the platform edge [...]

What do you do with a public art display when it comes down?

For New York City-based artist Amy Wilson, the answer to that question was recycle it… into something useful that she could sell.

Wilson was one artist of many participating in the Downtown Alliance’s Re:Construction public art program, which “[recast] construction sites as canvasses for innovative public art and architecture.” Her work, It Takes Time to Turn a Space Around, was located at West Thames Park, and consisted of a 130′ x 5′ digital print on vinyl of original watercolor (her primary medium).

Flash mob musical troupe break out in NYC

Note the police officer who attempts to break up the faux flight until the singing begins!

Break Out In Song is an ambitious public arts project that pushes the boundaries of live theater as it dazzles unsuspecting audiences with free, spontaneous and fully staged Broadway musical numbers. The idea came to producer Ryan Mackey as he would listen to show tunes on his iPod, wishing that he could start singing and dancing. After seeing the viral video of about 200 dancers perform a song from THE SOUND OF MUSIC in a train station in Antwerp, Belgium, he decided he wanted to do something similar in New York.