- Title: USA: A vacant commerical city block is transformed into a free public art space
- Date: 19th September 2009
- Summary: CHILDREN PLAYING AT SCULPTURE
- Embargoed: 4th October 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA5QQ0KO7U45J1SH52WEMULP0PB
- Story Text: A city-block long vacant construction area has been transformed into a public art space and park in Lower Manhattan. The space opened to the public on Friday (September 18).
The space features a variety of sculptures, trees, public benches, as well as space for graphic artists and performance artists.
The new art space and public park sits on land that used to be home to several old buildings. The buildings were torn down a few years ago by Trinity Real Estate. Until construction breaks ground on a new building, the land has been lent to the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).
According to the LMCC, the nonprofit art council has a long tradition of using temporarily vacant space as a home for artists. LMCC's President Maggie Boepple describes how the project came about.
"You see a future development space that has been lent to us, hence the name LentSpace, by Trinity Real Estate, which is part of Trinity Church, that has a very active arts program. I got a call one day from the president of Trinity Real Estate who said would you like to have a city block to do something in. At that time it was really rubble, so we had to find architects, designers, artists, contractors, and we built this space as an innovative art project for the community to enjoy, disagree with, have their coffee in," said Boepple.
Boepple adds that she thinks this is the first time a developer has lent commercial real estate space to be used as a public art space.
Boepple says until a new building is built, her organization could have the space for about three years, and in this slow economy, maybe longer. Although, she says the initial plans for the space began before the economic meltdown.
"The discussion that we had came before the recession, but undoubtedly the length of time, the economy will affect the length of time that we will have it, but that's really up to the developer," said Boepple.
On its first day open to the public, tourists, office workers and passersby stopped in to take a look at the new public space.
Gregor Scholz, a tourist from Germany says he likes idea that something good can come from tough economic times.
"Well it's very interesting, and I think it's nice that those new times that are tough bring out good, new quality to the city. This is a very good thing," said Scholz.
Jennifer Davis, who says she works in the area says she witnessed the dramatic transformance of the art space.
"It's a real good addition, from what it was, a pile of rubble, an old building to an open space where we can come sit and enjoy the artwork. It's really nice," said Davis.
LMCC's curator Adam Kleinman described his vision for the space.
"If you walk around you'll notice that a lot of the pieces are situated on very formal pathways, and as you walk through it, it creates a promenade, so in your periphery there are different pieces, which out of the corner of your eye, you'll always see the next piece, which will lead you on a string of impressions as you walk around. But at the same time, if you want to look for it it's there, but at the same time, if you want to have a sandwich and sit under a tree, it's also very comforting that way, it's not in your face," said Kleinman.
Kleinman says the art exhibits will change every few months. He says the space will close during the cold, winter months of January and February and will reopen in mid-March. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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