Photo by Sam Samore. Image courtesy Design Trust for Public Space
Sonic Gates: New York City’s Sound Sculpture Walk was created by artist Volker Goetze as a public art pilot of the Future Culture initiative, launched by The Design Trust for Public Space and Staten Island Arts. Sonic Gatesfeatures seven sound sculptures and a mural. Installed last summer, Sonic Gates is on view through June, 2019.
The Sonic Gates sound sculpture walk created by artist Volker Goetze was unveiled on Saturday, July 14, 2018, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 pm at the St. George Ferry Terminal, followed by performances at sculpture sites on Bay Street, and an opening reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at ArtSpace @ Staten Island Arts, 23 Navy Pier Court, Staten Island. The seven sound sculptures and a mural, on view for a year, are located along a wide-ranging stretch of landscape in St. George, Tompkinsville, and Stapleton, spanning Bay Street’s diverse storefronts, lively Tompkinsville Park, and the expansive waterfront.
Taking it from the top, Sonic Gate, created by Jeremy Munson, is located at the St. George Ferry Terminal Plaza. The sculpture measures 7’2″ long, 3′ wide and 7’2″ tall. It consists of three movable bell tubes that create a harmonic chord.
Float, Float, Float On, created by Arthur Simms, is located on the waterfront along Front Street. It measures 3′ in diameter and 7′ tall, and consists of dozens of nautical buoys, hammers and bells, which are attached together around a larger recycled buoy.
Right Whale is created by Lina Montoya with Curtis High School students. It is located at the Barrett Triangle Bus Shelter on Bay Street at Prospect Street and consists of two murals equalling 90-feet-long, of the endangered Right Whale, in homage to Staten Island’s maritime heritage. Image courtesy of the artist.
“Our public art installations will attract Staten Islanders to get out of their cars and visitors to pass beyond the ferry terminal and explore the North Shore by foot or bike. We encourage everyone to slow down and discover things that we would otherwise miss just whizzing by in a city bus, the Staten Island Railway, or a car,” said Volker Goetze, lead artist of Sonic Gates.
Drum Totem, created by Alassane Drabo is located at Tompkinsville Park. It is 3′ wide and 16′ tall. The arranged pieces of reclaimed timber from the Staten Island shore incorporate ancient West African drums and will complement the ongoing weekly drum circles in Tompkinsville Park.
Animal Cleats, created by Lina Montoya is located on Bay Street between Hanna Street and Tappen Park. It is 6′ long, 1′ 6″ wide, and 4′ tall. The dolphins in the installation are made of re-used bottle caps and connect the trail between Tompkinsville Park and Tappen Park.
“Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of our city, and the $1.54 million in investments to Staten Island through our Neighborhood 360 ° grant program are already going a long way towards revitalizing key commercial corridors,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “By working with Staten Island Arts, we are responding to local needs to support small business growth and build more vibrant neighborhoods for all New Yorkers.”
Talking Tubes, created by DB Lampman is located at the Barrett Triangle and Bay Street. It measures 7′ 9″ long, 5’55” wide and 8′ tall. The colorful PVC pipes shaped into whimsical lines, can be played to create sounds.
Wind Harp #7, created by Scott Van Campen, is located on Bay Street at Slosson Terrace. It measures 17″ long, 2’6″ wide and 12′ tall. The steel strings vibrate in the wind and “sing” recreating the phenomenon of the “von Kármán Vortex Street.”
“The Future Culture pilots will highlight our borough’s rich cultural assets, from the Bay Street commercial corridor bustling with restaurants, stores and art centers, to Parks locations where dynamic community activities are taking place, to the spectacular waterfront, where we are reflecting Staten Island’s deep maritime heritage,” said Elizabeth Bennett, Executive Director at Staten Island Arts.
Wind Chimes, created by DB Lampman in collaboration with students from PS 78, is located at Tappen Park. It measures 10′ long and 12′ tall. Wind will activate the hung wind chimes to create musical sounds.
Sonic Gates is created by artist Volker Goetze. In addition, Court Yard Fridays is developed by musician Homer Jackson, community organizer Kevin Washington, and designer Lynn Washington. Both are pilot projects of the Staten Island’s Waterfront, fostering community connections. The project is supported in part by the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ Neighborhood 360° Grant program.
“Located directly across the street from the Staten Island Ferry, the Richmond County Courthouse – a beautiful example of neo-classical, 20th century architecture – will come to life at our four multicultural concerts featuring international music stars and local talent. We invite commuters, workers, neighbors, and visitors to join us,” said Kevin Washington, organizer ofCourt Yard Fridays.
