The nonprofit EcoArt Project announced the launch of Rebound-NYC, a new initiative repurposing empty storefronts as cultural pop-ups throughout New York City. Following the devastating effects of COVID-19 on New York’s businesses and streetscapes, EcoArt Project is teaming up with the nonprofit Chashama and local store owners to revitalize the streets of the city with exciting exhibitions that stimulate conversation on our environment and climate change through work by internationally-recognized visual artists and designers.
To celebrate Earth Day 2021, six artists create impactful experiences that investigate the state of our environment. The pop-ups engage artists working in visual and performing arts to present work with environmental themes, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and recycling in Bryant Park and Union Square.
From March 25 to April 18 at 1155 6th Avenue, near Bryant Park, EcoArt Project presents The Weather Within by New York-based artist Alex Nero. With a series of projections and photographs, the artist imagines the entrenched perspective of climate-change denial as an internal weather pattern ~ a frozen mindset that humans need to thaw in order to shift.
From April 15 to 27 at 7 East 14th Street, near Union Square, EcoArt Project presents Earth Day Experience 2021. Coinciding with Earth Day on April 22, the interdisciplinary exhibition will feature new pieces by artists Cicely Carew, Peter Gerakaris, Stephen Mallon, Sam Nester, and Hara Woltz, whose works visualize the fragility of our planet and imagine sustainable futures.
The two pop-up exhibitions, part of Rebound-NYC, seek to communicate the urgency of the environmental crisis to the public by fostering dialogues on climate change, global warming, and their translation into visual art. Following over 330 applications from artists around the world, the final artists for the pop-ups were selected by a jury panel composed of arts educator Gail Heidel, art historian Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, galleries Gloria Porcella, and curator Destinee Ross-Sutton. Supported by a grant from The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, EcoArt Project has awarded prizes of $3,000 to each of the artists.
“We’re thrilled to be able to contribute to the regeneration of the city’s street life and cultural infrastructure with our pop-up exhibitions during this critical time of recovery” said EcoArt Project Founder and Executive Director Pino Fortunato. “Offering experiences of art and design with environmental perspectives, the pop-ups are safe spaces to gather and reflect on the beauty of our planet and the impact of climate change. We look forward to expanding the initiative with additional real estate partners to continue our programming across the city, which will include upcoming artist residencies.”
In addition to the art installations, a select number of artists will be featured in Earth Day 2021 virtual events organized by Earth Day Initiative, a New York-based nonprofit organization bringing the spirit of the first Earth Day into the 21st century. Earth Day Initiative’s entirely virtual events will feature a livestream stage one April 18 and an interactive virtual exhibitor fair on April 19, with further details and speakers to be announced.
The Weather Within and Earth Day Experience 2021 will be free and open to the public with all necessary COVID-19 precautionary measures in place. Visit EcoArt Project for more information and opening hours of the pop-ups. Follow EcoArt Project on Instagram, and share using the hashtag #REBOUNDNYC.