Art in the Parks

This year, Socrates asks artists to consider the present-day ecological conditions and challenges that our globe faces. We are at once on the tipping point of irreparable ecological devastation and at the dawn of a new age of Green politics and technologies. While a global phenomenon, climate change does not impact all equally. The costs are greater borne on disadvantaged groups with less political power—those in developing countries, women, the young, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, and those without access to capital.

How can we address the urgency, enormity, and challenges of climate change without falling into melancholy or paralysis? How do the matrices of race, gender, and class intersect in this Green future? What can we do to mitigate eco-anxiety surrounding these many simultaneous demands for global change? What can we learn from historically vulnerable, but thriving communities that can help us navigate this challenge?

Artists in this exhibition include Cheyenne Concepcion, Sean Desiree, Koyoltzintli, Randi Renate, and Daniel Shieh. 

This exhibition is presented by Socrates Sculpture Park.

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.

We Are Beautiful represents diversity, celebrates multiculturalism in New York City, especially on Staten Island. It consisted of 4,950 multicolor butterflies attached to the metallic railing by the water at Stapleton Waterfront Park. This installation is part of La Isla Bonita Series and Festival, which intends to beautify public spaces with the collaboration of community members.

This exhibition is presented by La Isla Bonita.