Two Queens parks were among 10 chosen to display public art, thanks to a grant from a popular Japanese clothing store.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Rufus King Park in Jamaica will have art installations by local artist on display until 2019. The New York City Parks Department was the winner of Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant for the second time. The grant was created by the clothing brand in September 2016 as a way to bring public art to parks that have historically lacked cultural programming.
“Parks’ partnership with UNIQLO has expanded our public art offerings across the five boroughs, and we are excited for another year of amazing new artworks by local artists. Public art should be accessible to all, and Parks is proud to do our part in offering high quality arts and cultural programming in our shared public spaces across the city,” Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said.
The $200,000 grant has been given to a total of 20 artists over the course of two years. Ten artists received $100,000 in 2017, and another $100,000 was distributed to another 10 artists this year.
Zaq Landsberg will display his work “Islands of the Unisphere” in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from now until July 6, 2019. Landsberg’s work depicts a collection of islands from various continents, which will act as seating stages and meeting places while reflecting the diversity in Queens. A celebration for the art will take place on July 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Rose DeSiano’s “Absent Monuments” consists of several mirrored obelisks. When viewers see their reflections in the obelisks, they are meant to celebrate themselves while seeing into Jamaica’s complex history of colonization, war, abolitionism, immigration and rural urbanization. Her work will be on display from now until June 30, 2019, and a celebration for her work will be on Aug. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Visit the NYC Parks website to see a full list of parks and artworks on display.
