High Line Public Art, New York City / Interview with Lauren Ross

One of the events during Armory Week was the celebration of High Line Art’s Spring Season and Opening of the new public art project “Space Available” by Kim Beck. In this video, we take a walk on the High Line and speak with the curator and director of the High Line’s art program, Lauren Ross.

In this interview, Lauren Ross talks about the concept of the High Line’s art program, the specific rewards and challenges of presenting art in such a unique place, previous and future projects, and of course the new project “Space Available” by Kim Beck (click here for an interview with Kim Beck).

The Public Art program of the High Line consist of presenting temporary artworks in all mediums in and around the High Line on a rotating schedule. Currently on view are a glass installation by Spencer Finch, a sound installation by Stephen Vitello, the “Viewing Station” by Richard Galpin, and three rooftop sculptures by Kim Beck. There’s a list of recent and upcoming commissions on the Public Art page of the High Line’s website.

Interview with Lauren Ross. High Line Art Brunch, The Standard, High Line Room, New York City, March 5, 2011.

> Right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) this link to download Quicktime video file.

Photo set:
The High Line NYC

The High Line in New York City is a unique project, initiated by the Friends of the High Line. The High Line is a pedestrian walkway and park along a former elevated freight rail spur in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. It was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets. After the last train ran in 1980 (with three carloads of frozen turkeys), the High Line was threatened by intentions to demolish the entire structure, but was safed by Peter Obletz, who challenged the demolition efforts in court. In 1999, the non-profit Friends of the High Line was formed by Joshua David and Robert Hammond. The High Line is now open as a public park, owned by the City of New York and operated under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Friends of the High Line is the conservancy charged with raising private funds for the park and overseeing its maintenance and operations. When all sections are complete, the High Line will be a mile-and-a-half-long elevated park, running through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. It features an integrated landscape, designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, combining meandering concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings. Fixed and movable seating, lighting, and special features are also included in the park.

(Source: High Line website and Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City), last modified on 7 March 2011 at 09:02)

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