Youth Insights teens visit the High Line and The Door
Jul 10, 2015
Melanie Kress discusses Yutaka Sone’s Little Manhattan New York (1998). Photograph by Heather Maxson
On July 2, Youth Insights Art Careers participants visited the High Line and met two members of the High Line Art curatorial team, Cecilia Alemani and Melanie Kress. First, they told us about the history of the High Line, a 1.5 mile long above ground railroad that has been turned into a public park and they formed an art organization that commissions and produces public art projects. So far, the High Line Art Organization has worked with 120 living artists on various projects.
The High Line displays art in five different ways: billboards, videos, open-air performances, murals, and sculptures. Since the vegetation on the High Line changes every two or three weeks, the work is constantly evolving with the natural landscape. After the presentation, the curators invited us to see some of the art currently on display. My two favorite pieces were Yutaka Sone’s Little Manhattan New York (1998) and Maria Castillo Deball’s Who would measure the space, who would tell me the moment? (2015).The curators talked about how being a curator at the High Line poses challenges. Unlike curators at the Whitney, they must be aware of how weather (particularly wind and snow) will affect the art on view. After talking with the curators, we were encouraged to roam the High Line and make our own discoveries before regrouping to go to our next destination.
Next, we walked to The Door, a community-based organization that provides services including arts education, counseling, legal guidance, and job training to New York City youth. We met with The Door’s Arts Supervisor, Jadrien Ellison, who explained that he loves his job because it combines his two passions: working with young people and art. Jadrien told us about The Door’s summer dance, music, and visual arts programs and how each program culminates in a final product such as a portfolio, an album, or a performance. I had heard of The Door before, but I had no idea of the variety of services and programs they offer, free of charge! I discovered that The Door is a safe, open, supportive, and creative place that is hugely beneficial to the New York City community.
By Sophie, YI Participant