Lafayette Anticipation associate curator Anna Colin talks to artist Tyler Coburn about Ergonomic Futures, a speculative project engaged with art, design, science, anthropology and writing. In this interview, Coburn discusses the research, production process and network of collaborators of a multilayered project ultimately concerned with the futures of humankind. Anna Colin: When one comes across your museum seats Ergonomic Futures (2016—) in contemporary art exhibitions—and soon in natural history, fine art, and anthropology museums—they look… [read more »]
Siblings Gino and Leslie make plop art cute — one public sculpture at a time.
Gino & Leslie are New Jersey-based siblings with a passion for sculpture. Or, more accurately, a passion for having their photos taken in front of publically accessible sculptures. Ranging from Josephine Meckseper’s temporary installation ‘Manhattan Oil Project’ to a small Tau Beta Pi honor society sculpture in the garden at NYU. Jumping on a ~*future_trend*~ prior to the ArtSelfie phenomenon, these sibs turn public art into destinations for their self-directed adventure.
“New York based German artist Josephine Meckseper created this larger than life art installation at the corner of W46th Street & 8th Avenue. This installation rightfully title Manhattan Oil Project displays two simulated oil pump jacks. Through this piece, the artist demonstrates our society’s dependence on oil and what actually occurs to provide that energy. The installation was presented by the Art Projection Fund and was on view until May 6th, 2012.” (All captions credit: Gino and Leslie)
“Outside of Polytechnic Institute of New York University stands this sculpture in a small garden. The piece was installed by the Tau Beta Pi, which is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States. This specific one was installed to recognize the honor society of this school. These types of sculptures are present in many universities that have similar honor societies. “
The sibling’s prolific sculpture consumption began in 2011, posting almost one public artwork a day through 2012. This brand of art-tourism is an indiscriminate, rapid intake of public art, with an admiration for all works they encounter. But why? Their blog seems to proclaim: If it looks like a sculpture, it’s a sculpture. If it’s here, it’s worthy of documentation.
Maybe they ask: why do these objects exist, and why are they the only ones who notice? Are all public art works ignored equally? Or perhaps the blog just shows that plop art is just as ploppy as some of us thought. In any case, they put the spotlight on some of the most omnipresent and least discussed monuments in NYC — pieces so integrated in the fabric of the city that they become at best landmark, and at worst landscape.
However, tragically their avid tourism has slowed over the past couple of years, and I wonder, what happened? Where are they now? Are they still cute? Do they still love public art? We’ll never know.
Follow their path through NYC and discover some not so hidden works of art at www.sculptureadventures.com!
“Rob Pruitt‘s monument to the iconic Andy Warhol is currently on view in Union Square Park. The Andy Monument will be exhibited until October 2, 2011 and is placed in front of what used to be Warhol’s Factory. The sculptures is available thanks to the Public Art Fund. August 6 is Andy Warhol’s birthday so a day in advance we wish the late Mr. Warhol a happy birthday from all of us at Sculpture Adventures!”
“The High Line Oliver Laric The Art Of War Liliput Sun Tzu Manhattan NYC Gino Leslie 2″ width=”600″ height=”399″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-66608” /> “Sculptor Oliver Laric created this unique bust of Sun Tzu for the Liliput exhibition that is currently at The High Line. The bust is reminiscent of JAnus the two faced Roman God. Liliput is the first group exhibition at The High Line. The exhibition will last until April of 2013.”
“Chinese sculptor Ai Wei Wei had his first exhibition in the US with his Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. They represented the animals in the Chinese zodiac and were placed in the Pulitzer Fountain. The exhibition lasted until one week away ago. It was a great treat to us all and should have been installed there permanently.”
“Artist James Angus created this sculpture which is as the title states of a basketball that has been dropped at 35,000 feet. The sculpture is made completely of bronze and shows a Spalding brand basketball. It is a sculpture to be easily missed since it stands by itself in MetroTech Center. Not much information on the sculpture can be found.”
“Artist David Byrne created this very unusual sculpture which is a bicycle rack titled The Wall Street which stands in the north side of Wall Street. The sculpture is one of nine bike racks designed by the artist. It is part of a project set up by the New York City Department of Transportation and the former PaceWildenstein Gallery now Pace Gallery.”
Jesse A. Greenberg
created this sculpture that is currently on view at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens. The sculpture is one of many sculptures by emerging artists who are exhibiting their works as part of the Emerging Artist Fellowship (EAF 11) exhibition. This sculpture as well as many more will be on view from September 10, 2011 until March 4, 2012. "” width=”600″ height=”399″ class=”size-large wp-image-66629″ /> “Fellowship artist Jesse A. Greenberg created this sculpture that is currently on view at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens. The sculpture is one of many sculptures by emerging artists who are exhibiting their works as part of the Emerging Artist Fellowship (EAF 11) exhibition. This sculpture as well as many more will be on view from September 10, 2011 until March 4, 2012. “
Mary Miss
, architect Stanton Eckstut and landscape artist Susan Child. The South Cove is made up of a tower that has a staircase built into the structure and allows one to see a panoramic view of the area. There are also many rocks and plants that have been placed in this area to give it the unique look and feel that it has."” width=”600″ height=”399″ class=”size-large wp-image-66647″ /> “The South Cove in Battery Park is a joint design by environmental artist Mary Miss, architect Stanton Eckstut and landscape artist Susan Child. The South Cove is made up of a tower that has a staircase built into the structure and allows one to see a panoramic view of the area. There are also many rocks and plants that have been placed in this area to give it the unique look and feel that it has.”
