Public art: NYC, Bucharest & Skopje

This months cover layout by K.K.W,
photo by K.K.W

Public art: NYC, Bucharest & Skopje. By K.K.W

"Let me begin with a disclaimer; I detest the term Public art. Why? Because there is no creative pursuit that can be categorized as Public art. It is not a movement like Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop Art, or Graffiti, for example that can be defined stylistically or conceptually. Lets be honest, the term "Public art" conjures ideas of banal, even dreadful permanent displays in municipal buildings, from airports to courts. 

Most official opportunities to create public art are encumbered by graffiti-resistant , child-safe, family-friendly, provocation adverse rules, which guarantee that any commissioned artwork will be bland at best." (1)

Artwork by Sol Lewitt @ City Hall NYC 2011.
Photo by K.K.W

As much as it may seem entirely negative, Anne Pasternak does have a point. Given the realities of any modern city/society, creativity doesn't flow easy and in "Public art", even less so. Although one can find interesting and moving "Public art", however this is based on the individual and his or her taste(s). 

Graffiti Mural - East Houston NYC 2012 (Artist unknown)
Photo by K.K.W

1. In Order to have Public Art you need Public space and an open-minded public.

2. To have an open-minded public you need visual artists, those who promote them and  art to help guide (& at times provoke)them towards this.

3. For both of these to happen you need a city within a state or country thats use to social revolutions. 

           

Monika Sosnovoska -
"Fir Tree" 2012 @ 5th ave
Central Park entrance.

To start with Public art has been around since human beings have been living in urban centers. Civic statuary, monuments, architecture, etc. All of this towards national identity, religious belief, mythology and so forth. 

Artwork by Calder @ City Hall Park, NYC (year unknown).
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. 

Modern Public art often has more to do with "fine art" and often can only be defined by its creator, although it often gives the general public something to think about or react to (however briefly).

Given NYC's history, cosmopolitan makeup and social revolutions, we have a more tolerant atmosphere for art that provokes. However most Public art is non-provoking & bland. The reason, in part, for so much of ours is the Public Art Fund started by Doris Freedman in 1977, which is from the merger of two pre-existing organization, Citywalls (started in 1966), and The Public Arts Council (founded in 1977). The organizations work has increased due to the influence of Mayor Michael Bloomberg who is a strong proponent of Public Art.     

Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn N.Y.
Photo by K.K.W

Skopje & Bucharest are not the opposite, though certainly not the same. Both cities exist in countries that are formerly socialist/communist, and have become use to capitalism and even more of the West within the last 20 years (The Romanian Revolution in 1989, and Macedonia declaring independence in 1991 for Yugoslavia). 

New triumphal arch in Macedonia Square
(part of "Skopje 2014" project).
Photo by Matej Bogdanovski

Both city's social make up is still very conservative and religious, not so use to radical social revolutions. Not that this means their backwards, far from it. They of course have deep cultural roots when it comes to art, past and contemporary (Adrian Ghenie, Mircea Cantor, Dimitar Kondovski & Collective Zero). The two have cultural organizations geared towards promotion of their arts (IRCNY for Romania & The Ministry of Culture for Macedonia), though neither has, to my knowledge organizations that fund "Public art".    

Public art in Skopje. Photo by Meglena Visinska.

Bucharest & Skopje do have amazing contemporary art scenes (recognized & "underground")geared towards the creation of "Public art" and a society that tolerant towards it. "Public art Bucharest 2007", curated by Marius Babias and Sabine Hentzsch was created to address the problem of a lack of Public space & art. Its a multi-disciplinary project that has the backing from various European organizations. 

Image from "Public art Bucharest 2007"

So far in 2009 Skopje has seen the creation of the "First Archi Brigade", an informal group of architecture students and young architects who look to take a proactive role in designing todays architectural reality. "We are committed to raising public awareness of what we believe is, from an architectural and urban perspective, a negative tendency in the city."(2)

An example of temporary Public art
in Bucharest.

In Bucharest its a problem of city planning and of a lack of Public space and therefore "Public art". As the city was redeveloped during the 80's little thought was given to this. For Skopje its a similar problem made worse, by the opinion of many, with the project "Skopje 2014" (a massive nationalist project to revamp the city with antique statues & buildings).

Modern Public spaces & art gives people place to gather, exchange ideas, and be exposed to new kinds of creativity. Together it creates  synergy in which case gives rise to new social possibilities.

The Skopje city square. Warrior  on a Horse
monument (back). The "Accidental Meeting"
sculpture, 2009. Photo by Petar Kajevski

If you would like to know more, go to:http://www.artmargins.com/index.php/2-articles/655-troubles-with-history-skopje-2014, or:http://www.erstestiftung.org/publication/public-art-bucharest-2007/. "Art is the reason, art is the way" (1) Anne Pasternak, (2) First Arch Brigade manifesto 

@ Panoply - 4/19/13

This months cover, layout & photo by
Aleksandar Ares.

@ Panoply - 4/19/13. Photos & text by K.K.W.

The bike ride over The Williamsburg Bridge out of L.E.S (The Lower East Side of Manhattan)is like a metaphor for Panoply - not for the faint of heart but well worth the effort.  

Valerie Kuehne (curator @ Panoply) , Jeffery Hayden Shurdut
& C.w Kennedy (middle - right to left).

Although the event was called "UPHOLSTERY IN BROOKLYN", there was in fact 4 other acts in addition to the one who the event is named after. It was the sort of wicked, relaxed, great night of music and performance art.  

Felix Morelo: M.C / host for the evening.

Ester Neff - curator & Founding member of Panoply.

"Glue Gun Optimism"

A 5-man group with a bold sound - Jazz, Funk, Rock, experimental with a little electronic synthesis for good measure. Their first piece started off deep, mellow and a bit somber, like the slow rising signs of an acid frenzy. 

John Wesley Wilder Jr (left) & Jeffery Hayden Shurdut

"Glue Gun Optimism"

Then the peak came swiftly, suddenly, like the sound and the fury. Their flow, feel, and vibe like and offshoot of late Miles Davis ("Bitches Brew").   

Courtney Leigh Novak

Novak is one of those interesting performance artists who is bold, daring and not afraid to cross lines for the sake of making a point. 

Courtney Leigh Novak

Her piece, in a way, was reflecting aspects of herself which she is connected to, through a sense of universal female suffrage (The pain & torment of women, whom she called her 'sisters'). 

Courtney Leigh Novak

Courtney Leigh Novak

Playing to the crowd with passion and stage presence, she summed up a personal power then directed it towards the audience, making them apart of her act (to hold up the newsprint pages with slogan's painted on them, and chant in a little protest circle), and therefor her state of mind and belief. 

Courtney Leigh Novak

Courtney Leigh Novak

Admiral Grey & Weasel Walter as "Adult Baby"

Okay, to start, they were loud, powerful, a ringing note all senses (except smell) couldn't avoid. F$#king great!

Admiral Grey & Weasel Walter as "Adult Baby"

A return to the primitive on a digital wave. Weasel Walter's intense drumming permeating not only the walls, but every body in the room, while the alluring Admirals voice (with electronic keyboard)echoing and rippling through the room like a digital siren.

My one complaint is that I couldn't here enough of Admirals voice over Weasel's drumming (the combination of the two should have been balanced more in her favor). Still they were wicked-good, especially when they did a brief alternate version of U2's "Bloody Sunday".
    

 Admiral Grey

Upholstery - C.w Kennedy & Fernando Regencio  Jr.

Part of a Larger group out Philadelphia, these 3 gave the crowd a great theatrical, gender-bending, comedic Flamenco (mostly in Spanish). The act was superb, an off & on again romance fueled by passion and alcohol. C.w Kennedy and Christan Lyon's were great, backed by Fernando Regencio Jr on Guitar.    

Christan Lyon's - Upholstery

Admiral Grey & Weasel Walter

C.w Kennedy - Upholstery

Ester Neff (left), Natalia Stienbach,
& Jeffery Hayden Shurdut

Natalia Stienbach,
& Jeffery Hayden Shurdut, Valerie Kuehne

Part musical act, performance art, theirs was an interesting, multi-facet piece working with the symbolism of baking cornbread under a hot light (Neff), and two stuffed animals (Kuehne). All the while Steinbach provided a somber score easing the first stage of it along.

Ester Neff (left), Natalia Stienbach,
& Jeffery Hayden Shurdut

After Kuehne finished her dramatic monolouge (delivered with her usual fervent manner), she brings out her cello while Shurdut already started to skillfully work the piano. Kuehne's pace went from mild, to fast-paced, straight into a full on frenzy. It was wild.   

Tim de Benedetti.

Benedetti's set was a dark melodic trance-like mix with a steady loop, and ambient symphonic sounds reverberating through the space. It quickly began griping, giving the audience an audio feeling like waves crashing against the shore in the dim-lit night. 

Tim de Benedetti.

If you would like to know more, go to:http://www.panoplylab.org. "Art is the reason, art is the way"

Marija Mokrova Q&A

This months cover featuring
electronic-rock band noon:30.
Original photo courtesy of the band,
digital augmentation by K.K.W.

Public Space in Skopje: Q&A with Marija Mokrova. By K.K.W

This month we're featuring some interesting young women who are not just the some of their parts, but the product of over a century of the modern women's movement.    

Marija Mokrova.
Photo courtesy of miss Mokrova.

SP: Marija, thanks so much for taking the time for the interview.

MM: Your very welcome Kerwin.

SP: Every city has parks, however does Skopje have public spaces other then parks and do they have free wi-fi (internet), chess tables?

Are any of them enclosed, giving protection from the elements with comfortable seating?

MM: Aside from parks, or the quay of the river Vardar, or natures most precious gift to the city - the hill called Vodno - I can't really think spaces purposefully created for the recreation, entertainment, relaxation of the of the citizens of the city. Wi-Fi is generally available in the center of Skopje, around the main square, and there are benches. One could consider certain zones in the city as so-called public space...but the thing is, in the mind of this architectural layman, a public space should have a...meaning. It should materialize a deeper and elaborated idea, it should give a three-dimensional form to a concept that includes several aspects of urban life - be these creation/or exposition of street-art, challenges in popular games, or even presentation of popular dishes for the "skopj-nians."

SP: What are your, if any, favorite public spaces in Skopje?

MM: I really cannot categorize any place as a public space as such, but there are some places where...I can still feel the city's...  soul. Or dying soul, more appropriate to the to the current situation. There use to be more but recent changes in the city's appearance have literally destroyed them. A very cool spot is the terrace of The Museum of Contemporary Art, a forgotten jewel in Skopje, located on a hill overlooking the quay of Vardar, the city park, and part of the city's center. Kurshumli An - a cult spot in the Old Bazaar, still a beloved choice for open-air concerts and a charming corner of the city. Then again, the entire Old Bazaar is; and...now a goner, several benches right next to "Dom na ARM", the were close to the central street called "Macedonia" with a view to the space right in front of the institutions entrance, where different groups of young people and/or couples used to hang out.

SP: When it comes to public spaces in Skopje, what is your opinion of them? What should be added?

MM: ...As I cannot really say that they exist, I guess my only comment would be that...the lack of such spaces only speaks about the... impoverishment of the city's spirit, the disregard of certain circles of Skopje's population, and lack of "dialouge" between people on positions, actual artists and the "common" people that live Skopje's everyday life, and make it so uncommon in so many ways.

SP: The project "Skopje 2014" has made some major changes to the city, but has it affected public spaces in a really negative way, and if so how?

MM: Numerous green spaces have been destroyed. Not parks per se, but just small, green spaces in the midst of the edifices and constructions where people would just sit, talk, spend a moment or two and chat with neighbors. A lot of spots that epitomized the "neighborhood feel" of the city are long gone now; the ultra kitsch edifices that have flooded the center of Skopje leave no room for anything resembling a public space. I'd rather not comment on the rest of the effects of the above-mentioned project has, as it is literally raping the city.

SP: In New York City many of the "modern" buildings have public spaces built next to them, some are within the structures (a city zoning law passed in 1961 gives incentives to private developers for doing this). Does Skopje have any public spaces like this, and do you think your city should pass a similar zoning law? 

MM: Not sure if this really applies to Skopje. I'm not sure that any laws (social, architectural, natural, feng Shui, and any other one I can think of) are being respected in the recent changes that have affected the city. 

SP: If you could design a public space what would you have available for the people? 

MM: A spot for musical performances...maybe sort of wooden cabins for the passerby to have a taste of the latest Skopje crazes - a new cocktail, a new dish perhaps, a pastry or something. A corner for artist who want to create their art in front of the public... occasional presentations of popular radio shows, maybe (Ah, Kanal 103's Pink Cadillac comes to mind)...I don't know...I guess, a place that would reflect the most prominent aspects of urban life, in terms of musical preferences, arts, theatre, food, games...                      

Marija Mokrova.
Photo courtesy of miss Mokrova.

When it comes to public space (parks, plazas, squares, etc, & modern public space)  in any city its most important aspects is how it interacts with the area around it, and how people of varying degrees relate to it.

Aside from this, its part of what makes for a healthy urban existence and promotes harmony within the city.

"Art is the reason, art is the way"

If you would like to know more, go to:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2012/12/marija-mokrova-skopje-not-mine-anymore.html, or:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2013/01/q-igor-toshevski.html, or:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2011/11/see-it-now-skopje-in-autumn-blues.html 

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Aquene Freechild: Q&A

This months cover,
featuring electronic-rock band noon:30.
Original photo courtesy of the band,
digital augmentation by K.K.W

Q&A - "Modern" Architecture,

with Aquene Freechild.

Aquene Freechild,
photo courtesy of Miss Freechild.

SP: Aquene, thanks for taking the time for the interview.

AF: Your welcome Kerwin.

Downtown NYC - digital photo by K.K.W 2012.

SP: How do you view the often dominant use of glass, or similar material and radically simple design (cube / rectangles, linear pattern) in modern architecture? 

AF: I like the large amount of light that some modern buildings offer. Concrete no, glass yes. It can be too much sometimes, people need to be able rest their eyes too.

SP: Architecture, like most things can be done wrong (design, execution, etc), however, do you feel it has more to do with opinion when its disliked (take for instance the Eiffel Tower - although its not a building- which was hated by most of the artists & many others in Paris, yet is now beloved by the world, or at least tourists)? 

AF: I am guessing that human beings share similar innate reactions to space, large spaces are grand, perhaps a little intimidating, perhaps inspiring, small spaces intimate, safer. I think there are endless likely iterations of this type of effect that I don't know how to describe.

SP: Even if a work of architectural design is considered flawed, bad, (whatever the reason) and an artist, or someone else, finds a way to express a positive feeling through it, its put to good use, people rent offices in it, an apartment / purchase one in it, does that not make it good?

AF: Yes, that makes it good. We adapt and make homes everywhere. 

Center of Skopje (Capital of Macedonia),
digital photo by Meglena Visinska 2012.

SP: Phillip Clay's two-stage model of gentrification places artists as prototypical stage one, or marginal gentrifier's. Artists (in large #'s) move into low-rent undesirables areas, rehabilitate it, making it more desirable to others (Real-Estate Developers, yuppies, semi-conservative families). By this do you think that artists, Musicians, etc, help to cause gentrification?

AF: Yes, because they provide a bridge between the classes. Artists are often from middle and upper classes and make lower income areas,  more chique and palatable to upper and middle class identified people who come to artist areas to engage with the art, which they can likely afford more than the artist's neighbors.

Aquene Freechild.
Photo courtesy of miss Freechild.

Modern Architecture has its roots in the Bauhaus movement, which originated in Germany during the 20th century, and is currently going through a major revival ("Days of the future past"?). Its ideas had a major impact one world that is still current today.  And as the subject is one that affects New York City & others, its most important to us.

Aquene Freechild is a graduate of NYU (New York University), & currently resides in Washington, District of Columbia. 

If you would like to know more, go to:www.facebook.com/aquenef ,

or:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html,

www.facebook.com/VoSenkataNaMladiteInTheShadowOfTheYoungOnes 

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