On the heals of the installation, Atlas: The Third Millennium, the Public Art Initiative will be installing two new sculptures in Marcus Garvey Park, with an unveiling and Opening Reception on Sunday, October 21.
The two artists, José Carlos Casado and Kim Dacres & Daniel A. Matthews worked with the Public Art Initiative for the past year, bringing their ideas to life in the site-specific sculptures inspired by women of color.
Below are a few images of the installation of I Don’t Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Ah me… by the artist José Carlos Casado .
I Don’t Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Ah me….. by José Carlos Casado acknowledges how little he knows of the black woman’s experience, but as an immigrant, gay man and new father, he found a personal connection to the poem entitled Sympathy by African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar that inspired writer/poet/activist Maya Angelou’s American classic. Accompanying the physical sculpture is an augmented reality component making the sculpture interactive.
Below are a few more images of the second day of a two-day installation.
The installation, incredibly detailed, took two full days, and many skilled, helping hands. The cage was slowly moved onto the platform on day two, with assistance from Jamel Ali, personal trainer and friends, who can always be found working out with clients on the Madison Avenue side of Marcus Garvey Park, just steps from this installation.
The installation was completed as the sun went down, and was already drawing quite a crowd.
Friday, we will follow the installation of Peaceful Perch (below).
Peaceful Perch by Kim Dacres and Daniel A. Matthews is a figurative bust-like sculpture that will sit elevated, as an honored monument of watchfulness, embodying the ubiquitous presence of race and the female form, and celebrating women of color, their unique features and hair as the artist experiences it, reflected in her neighborhood in Harlem. Sculpture by Kim Dacres ~ Perch by Daniel A. Matthews.
I Don’t Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Ah me…. by José Carlos Casado will be located on the northeast oval lawn near the Madison Avenue and 123rd Street entrance to the park. Extended through October 20, 2019.
Peaceful Perch by Kim Dacres and Daniel A. Matthews , will be situated at the base of the stairs near the Fifth Avenue and 120th Street entrance to the park. On view to September 30, 2019.
Opening Reception and unveiling for the two new sculptures in Marcus Garvey Park will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 3:00-5:00pm. Enter Marcus Garvey Park at Fifth Avenue and 120th Street. This is a free event, open to the public, organized and presented by the Public Art Initiative. Funding provided by Marcus Garvey Park Alliance Public Art Initiative, with additional funding provided by the Harlem Community Development Corporation, SWAB Reuse and Repair administered by Citizens Committee for New York City. Rubber materials were donated by Harlem Bolt Bike Shop, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, and (Parks Leaf) Alliance.
Pick up a copy of the Public Art ‘Park to Park’ Map, listing 12 sculptures in 2 parks at the hospitality tent on Sunday, October 21st from 3-5pm, Fifth Avenue and 120th Street entrance to Marcus Garvey Park.
Follow the Public Art Initiative and Marcus Garvey Park Alliance on their websites.
Support the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance