Underground New York for Art
When I first moved to New York City in 2007, I was possessed by the subways; those mysterious tunnels that transported me from one neighborhood to another and sometimes under water. Now that I’ve been here over a year, I better understand where the neighborhoods are and the lines run. The mystery fading away.
Until tonight.
You see, I’m starting to look for vast dark spaces in New York City to preview an installation I’m building for Burning Man 2009. I heard of the Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage and that it closed permanently in 2001 due to security paranoia. An anchorage is a large, very stable stone structure on either side of a bridge. Creative Time used it for eighteen years as a forum for the exploration of artists working in many disciplines including new media, music, fashion, film, design and video. Visitors compared the cathedral-like vaults (nearly 50 feet high) to Piranesi’s “Carceri”, to ancient catacombs and to the austere intimacy of a monastery.
I’ll likely never be able to see them; doubtful put a public installation in them.
While I was reading about the Anchorage, I found the book New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City
Now, my mystery and wonder of the subway is back. And, I am still looking for that amazing vast dark space for the preview. Anyone know of?
Tags: Art, New York City, Urban Living
