The MCC Theater + the artist Francesco Simeti = two beautiful new Percent for Art installations that were unveiled at the theater’s official opening on January 9, 2019. A Tale of the City greets visitors from the street, and Set Perspectives creates a unique seating area within the theater.
Artist, Francesco Simeti was commissioned to create two new visual art installations for the Theater’s new home as part of New York City’s Percent for Art Program. Tale of the City is a collage of historic images of New York City portraying the cultural and ecological history of the neighborhood, and inside the theater, the artist installed Set Perspectives, a tapestry composed of historic imagery relating to the theater, sets, masks, and props from cultures all around the world.
Founded in 1986, Manhattan Class Company (MCC) began as a collective of young actors, writers, and directors. The MCC Theater complex is a new and permanent home for the nonprofit that has been renting space in the Lucille Lortel Theatre in the West Village for 12+ years. Still run by the three friends that founded it, the new complex consists of two theaters ~ the 245-seat Newman Mills Theater and the 100-seat Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater. In addition, the new complex will provide for rehearsal studios and artistic and administrative offices.
Above video, the installation of Tale of the City.
The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater is located at 511 West 52nd Street, NYC. Images via New York City Department of Cultural Affairs on Twitter.