I am excited to announce that I have been selected for FIGMENT NYC’s 2015 Summer Long Sculpture Program on Governors Island. My project, Common Picnic, is an interactive sculpture that takes the form of a set of interconnected picnic tables that encourages participants to share tables, seats, or both. It will be installed on the South Parade Ground of Governors Island and it will be open to the public from the beginning of June through the end of September.
When we hear “picnic” we usually think of a casual meal that’s eaten outdoors. However, the word “picnic” was originally used to describe the collective contributions brought to a communal gathering--kind of like what we would call a potluck today. It was less about the setting, and more about the spirit of gathering. I want to combine these definitions by taking something that we associate with relaxation in spacious, grassy areas and adapting it to emulate the experience of living in a crowded city where we share our personal space with strangers all the time. I want to highlight how we have to have a basic respect for one another in order to prevent chaos on a daily basis. Common Picnic will offer many levels of group and solitary engagement, including: lounging, reading, socializing, playing, and of course picnicking! In fact, I will be hosting a series of community picnics throughout the summer where people can gather and meet while sharing some food.
FIGMENT is a forum for the creation and display of participatory and interactive art by emerging artists across disciplines. FIGMENT began in July 2007 as a free, one-day participatory arts event on Governors Island in New York Harbor with over 2,600 participants. Since then, FIGMENT has grown significantly each year in number of projects, duration, participants, volunteers, fundraising capability, exhibitions, locations, overall level of commitment and participation, and public support.
Governors Island is located in New York City, off the southern tip of Manhattan. An easy ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn, it is a great place for weekend outings with family, friends, and loved ones. Common Picnic will be located on the South Parade Ground. For directions and more information about Governors Island, please visit http://www.govisland.com/.