Second Saturdays: Recess
Jan 10, 2015
Allison Weisberg, founder of Recess, welcomes the group to the space, January 2015. Photograph by Jamie Rosenfeld
On January 10, the YI Leaders and New York City teens went to Recess in SoHo to check out Jessica Segall’s installation 1/2 a cord. We were welcomed by Allison Freedman Weisberg, Executive Director and founder of Recess. Weisberg began by explaining Session, the organization’s signature program. Session invites artists like Segall to use the space at Recess as a studio and exhibition venue. From concept to creation, the artist’s work is on view to the public. Segall was in session from January 6-17. For her project, Segall constructed a campsite and tended to a fire in the gallery. Visitors were welcome to come in, warm up, and engage in conversation!
Participants gather around Jessica Segall’s campfire, January 2015. Photograph by Jamie Rosenfeld
The rest of Recess’s space was made to look like a forest, complete with trees, logs, and a taxidermed “magical fox.” The light hearted nature of this installation can best be described by the campfire rules, such as “Feel free to feed the crickets” and “It is recommended you bring no more than two dogs per campsite.” The installation put the YI Leaders at ease in a way only a campfire can. They introduced themselves and it was not long before people were interacting as casually as they would with old friends.
The teens’ pet rocks, January 2015. Photograph by Jamie Rosenfeld
The teens then started their first activity, making and naming their own pet rock! Each participant took a rock and chose from a variety of materials, from glitter glue to feathers. Before long, the group was laughing, talking, and sharing the creatures they had created.
Leaders read a scary story to the group, January 2015. Photograph by Jamie Rosenfeld
No campfire is complete without s’mores! We handed out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, and discussed s’mores techniques. Munching on s’mores, we told scary stories, then shared riddles and jokes while basking in the warmth of the campfire.
The participants bond during the program, January 2015. Photograph by Jamie Rosenfeld
In a city where people go about their business without much interaction, this installation provides a space that allows for connections to form between people. A sense of togetherness was created by the campfire. By sitting round a fire and chatting, we learned that we have something in common with the person next to us, a mutual friend, similar likes, or sharing the same TV show. This togetherness seems to be the goal of Segall’s installation, and I believe she has succeeded in creating an environment that allows for an exchange between people in a way that is hard to find elsewhere.
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By Logan, YI Leader