Art in the Parks

New York-based artist Maren Hassinger returns to Socrates with a series of new steel sculptures following her first exhibition with the Park in 1988. Examining the complications of human interrelation and affinity, identity and collectiveness, through abstraction in the outdoors, these steel silhouettes take forms of various iconic vessels drawing types not only from her current practice, but from the ancient Western world, non-Western cultures, and various Craft traditions. Amplified to larger than human height, the public is invited to walk around and among them, experiencing new perspectives through the skeletal frame. Their proximity to one another, choreographed throughout the Park’s landscape, provides visitors a new awareness of their bodies in public and shared space.

This exhibition is presented by Socrates Sculpture Park.

The Red String is an art installation inspired by the Chinese knot, a type of Eastern folk art consisting of distinctive patterns that symbolize unity and love. The installation integrates a series of physical banners with short animations using an Augmented Reality (AR) application on mobile devices. Viewers are advised to scan the AR codes on the banners with smartphone cameras in order to watch the animations, which reinterpret Chinese folktales or traditional operas to reflect on the modern Asian-American identity. As an art project, The Red String calls for unity and dialogue across the cultural and ethnic boundaries within the social spectrum. 

This exhibition is presented by More Art.

These arising characters are dedicated to the Italian poet and playwright Giuliano Scabia who wrote: "It is with love that masks sometimes reappear, but as soon as they are recognized they take refuge in the shadow from which they came. They keep the nests of dreams warm ".

Going Back to The Meadows is a sculptural sonic performance artwork dedicated to Queens hip-hop legend LL Cool J, his hometown of Queens, NY, and historical performances at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The sculpture includes a traditionally sculpted portrait bust of LL Cool J sitting atop a mirror polished stainless steel radio design and steel pedestal frame. The pedestal design includes references to LL’s unique style and career accolades and Queens landmarks. The sculpture’s audio speakers are solar powered, highlighting the use of green technology.

This exhibition is made possible by the Art in the Parks: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Grant, which supports the creation of site-specific public artworks by Queens-based artists for two sites within Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The Giving Tree brings awareness to the environmental concerns in the Queens community and elevates Flushing Meadows Corona Park as one that leads the future. This artificial tree will use wind power to generate electricity to light the park and provide a charging station for park visitors. It serves as a form of altruism to promote a higher level of collective consciousness and cooperation, which are necessary to ensure our collective well-being and even survival.

This exhibition is made possible by the Art in the Parks: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Grant, which supports the creation of site-specific public artworks by Queens-based artists for two sites within Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

In 2021, BODYARMOR Sports Drink and Naomi Osaka kicked off a court renovation initiative designed to revitalize tennis courts she grew up playing on, enriching the community, inspiring youth sports organizations through art, and ultimately reminding everyone to play to have fun, because after all, tennis is a game.

This exhibition is presented by BODYARMOR.

This exhibition is presented by Socrates Sculpture Park.

As our climate crisis exacerbates, we need to find a way to understand the interdependent nature of our mutualistic relationships more critically. The living sculpture looks to embody this relationship and invite audiences to send loving energy to the algae growing within the sculpture. Over the years, scientists have revealed the power of caring intention and its incredible impact on plant life and growth. In the sculpture we are asking viewers to rethink and expand their relationship to plant life and consider work plants do for us and their need for our love and respect toward them.

The sculpture consists of acrylic tanks in the shape of the word CARE. Each tank will act as a home for the algae and will process the surrounding carbon dioxide transforming it into oxygen.

The piece is a way to honor those who have died during COVID. It’s also a way to celebrate the community moving forward to make a better world for our youth by taking what we as a community have learned and working together for change.

The Afro pick originated over 5500 years ago in Africa as a way to honor, celebrate, educate, and empower.

Funded by RPGA Studio, Council member Koslowitz, and ConEd